The Department of Computational Landscape Ecology (www.ufz.de/cle) invites applicants for a PhD Student position (m/f)- Code digit 124/2012 – to commence as early as possible. PhD thesis:
"Understanding patterns of population dynamics and residential mobility in different European cities using agent-based models"
The position is part of the project “Energieeffiziente Stadt Delitzsch” (http://unileipzig.de/~effstadt/cms/).
The PhD candidate is expected to acquire and analyse data of spatial patterns of population dynamics and urban form in different European cities and develop conceptual agent-based models on residential mobility. These models help to explain observed patterns in different types of cities (like shrinking and expanding cities but also segregation patterns). The modelling approach encompasses a conceptual description, calibration and validation of the model(s). Furthermore, the PhD student should assist in building an empirical model for the
city of Delitzsch.
Requirements:
Applicants should have a background in scientific fields such as social geography, system science, (geo)-ecology, landscape ecology, environmental / social modelling or environmental sciences. Analytical thinking and a strong interest in modelling are required. Software skills in at least one programming language (preferably Java) and GIS as well as solid background in statistics (possibly advanced statistics and pattern analysis in R) are an advantage. Ability for working in an international interdisciplinary team is obligatory. The willingness to learn basic German is required, as basic language skills are necessary for the project.
Further information will be provided by:
Dr. Nina Schwarz (nina.schwarz@ufz.de, +49 341 235 1970)
Dr. Carsten Buchmann (carsten.buchmann@ufz.de, +49 341 235 1951)
Interested?
Then submit an application to the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – the international centre of competence for environmental sciences and member of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz Association. Come to Leipzig, a science city with a unique flair. The PhD students participate in the established Helmholtz Graduate School HIGRADE. Remuneration is based on the guidelines for public service in accordance with pay scale 13 of the German collective agreement for public service (TVöD) (50%). The position is limited to three years.
The UFZ aims at increasing the proportion of female employees and therefore strongly welcomes applications from qualified women. Preference is given to severely disabled applicants with a suitable level of subject-specific aptitude.
Please send your complete application documents in German or English (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, certificates of academic degrees, reprints of most important publications (if available) or a summary of the master / diploma thesis) with reference to the code digit: 124/2012 by 30 September 2012.
If you apply per email, please send your application with all documents in a single pdf-file that clearly states your name and the reference number of this job description (e.g. Smith_codedigit124_2012.pdf) to application@ufz.de or by mail to
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Personalabteilung, PF 50 01 36, D-04301 Leipzig, Germany.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ) is the first research institution with EMAS certification. In order to promote sustainability, we ask you to send your application via email.