Germany : 1 Phd and 1 Postdoc Position at Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F)

The Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) is a new interdisciplinary institute with the mission to carry out internationally outstanding research on the interactions of biodiversity and climate change. It has been founded by the Senckenberg Gesellschaft fuer Naturforschung, the Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, and others partners. The Centre is funded by the Federal State of Hesse through its Initiative for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence (LOEWE). It provides a new, dynamic research environment that integrates a variety of disciplines from both natural and social sciences. The Project Area E “Data and Modelling Centre” invites applications for:-
1 PostDoc position (Ref. #E16)
1 PhD position (Ref. #E18)
“Modelling of the terrestrial biosphere”
Candidates are expected to further develop ecosystem and terrestrial biosphere models, with a particular focus upon interactions between climate, ecosystems and biodiversity. Envisioned key development areas include interactions between herbivores and ecosystems, climate impacts on forests, and an improved representation of functional diversity within Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs).

The applicant should hold a master/diploma or PhD degree in Biology, Geography, Geoecology, Physics, Forestry, Earth System Science, Environmental Science or similar. He/she needs to have expertise in numerical modelling and computer programming, and an interest to work in interdisciplinary teams. Expertise in Linux system administration, shell programming and C++ are an advantage. Very good written and oral English language skills are required. Applicants for the PostDoc positions should have published in international, peer-reviewed journals.

The Research Centre BiK-F advocates gender equality. Women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Equally qualified severely handicapped applicants will be given preference.
Salary and benefits are according to public service positions in Germany (TV-H E 13 for PostDoc positions and TV-H E 13 50% for PhD positions).

The contract shall start as soon as possible and will initially be restricted to three years. For the Postdoc Position an extension of an additional three years is possible being subject to personal performance and availability of funds. The duty station will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany.


Please, send applications by mail or e-mail, mentioning the reference of this position (#E16 or #E18), and including a cover letter describing the applicant’s motivation to apply, a detailed CV, two references, a copy of your thesis and a list of publications, until June 20th, 2010 to
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. V. Mosbrugger, Scientific Coordinator Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. E-mail to Service and Finances:
recruiting@senckenberg.de. For scientific enquiries please write to Prof. Dr. T. Hickler (e-mail: thomas.hickler@senckenberg.de). Further information: http://www.bik-f.de (click “en” in upper right corner for English version)
Tentative Application Deadline : 20 June 2010