University of Greifswald, Germany
The advertised positions are part of the new Virtual Institute for Integrated Climate and Landscape Evolution Analyses (ICLEA), funded for the first 5 years by the Helmholtz Association, Germany. ICLEA involves the Helmholtz Centre “Potsdam German Research Centre for GeoSciences – GFZ“, the Ernst Moritz Arndt University Greifswald, the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus and the Polish Academy of Sciences. ICLEA will explore processes of climate and landscape evolution in a historical cultural landscape extending from north-eastern Germany into north-western Poland. We are going to link relevant time scales by integrating instrumental monitoring data with remote sensing information and proxy data analyses. The long-term mission of ICLEA is 1) to provide a comprehensive understanding of landscape evolution processes, 2) to distinguish between natural processes and human impacts and 3) provide a substantiated data-base for sustainable environmental management of the r!
egion.
Within the interdisciplinary project the major task of the working group Greifswald will be to derive high quality intra- & interannual proxy data from a regional network of tree sites and species across NE-Germany/ NW-Poland. The tree ring data will include annual ring width, relative wood density, wood cell structure, stable isotope ratios (carbon, oxygen) as well as element concentrations from XRF multi-element analysis. By linking these data to other proxies (e.g. lake sediments, part of ICLEA) and plant ecophysiological experiments (also part of ICLEA) and calibrating them against instrumental climate data, statistically verifiable high resolution reconstructions of climate and landscape evolution for the research area will be developed.
We are looking for highly motivated and team-oriented candidates with a strong background in forest ecology and/or Dendrochronology who have a M.Sc. or Diploma degree in biology, geography, forestry, landscape ecology, or related disciplines. Applications of candidates holding a Ph.D. are welcome.
Experience in dendroecological methods, ecological field work, multivariate statistical analyses and (climate)-modeling would be a major asset. Successful applicants should be motivated to combine intense field and laboratory work with detailed statistical analyses. Very good English skills are required. The ideal candidate has a proven record of scientific achievement, knowledge of the regional landscape and will develop his/her own ideas within the framework of the project.
In our dendrolab “DendroGreif” (http://www.botanik.uni-greifswald.de/index.php?id=dendrolab&L=1) we offer state of the art dendrochronological lab-facilities including ITRAX Multiscanner for densitometry and wood chemistry, several measuring tables (Lintab), microtomes, various software applications (Windendro, WinCell etc.). You will be part of the working group “Landscape Ecology and Ecosystem Dynamics”, lead by Prof. Martin Wilmking, Ph.D., and part of the ICLEA interdisciplinary scientific network which includes interdisciplinary training, coaching, mentoring and workshops.
The preferred starting date for both positions is January 2012. The deadline for applications is 31.11.2011, although the positions will remain open until filled.
Salary is according to TVL 13 (65%), or we can possibly offer scholarships of about 2500€/month for Ph.D. holders and up to 1600€/month for Ph.D. students. Positions can be funded for up to 5 years. The Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald advocates gender equality. Women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Equally qualified severely handicapped applicants will be given preference.
Applicants should send the following documents in English by email as a single pdf attachment to ilka.beil@uni-greifswald.de:
• a cover letter that includes a statement describing your experience and motivating your application,
• your curriculum vitae with publication list
• copies of certificates.
• names and contact information for 2-3 references
Please do not send original documents as the applications will not be send back. If you have not heard from us four weeks after the submission deadline, consider your application unsuccessful at this time.