Research Scientist position (m/f/d) for vegetation – climate interactions Ludwig-Maximilians – Universität Munich

The Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich is one of the largest and most renowned universities in Germany. The Department of Geography invites applications (full-time) for

Research Scientist position (m/f/d) for vegetation-climate interactions

Tasks

The chair for Physical Geography and Land Use Systems carries out fundamental and applied research on the role of terrestrial ecosystems in a changing climate. This prominently includes the human impact on climate via land use. Three quarters of the ice-free land surface are used by humans; we investigate the resulting biogeophysical effects (energy, water) as well as changes in the carbon cycle and associated greenhouse gas fluxes. Here, a current focus lies on negative emission technologies such as afforestation and bioenergy and assessing their risks and potentials to mitigate future climate change. Furthermore, we investigate the impacts of climate change on terrestrial ecosystems, in particular the interaction with climate extremes and the response to rising CO₂ concentrations. We work predominantly on regional to global scale, using state-of-the-art Earth system and vegetation models, which are integrated with Earth observations.

The research scientist is expected to conduct innovative research in the outlined fields and broaden the group’s portfolio, e.g. regarding hybrid modeling/deep learning approaches on observation and simulation data or coupled modeling of human-Earth system interactions. The scientist will become member of a young, dynamic team of researchers with ample opportunity for networking. The team is strongly involved in large international projects such as the Global Carbon Project and the IPCC/CMIP6 coupled climate carbon cycle/land use model intercomparison projects (C4MIP, LUMIP). The Department of Geography offers in-house expertise on local laboratory studies and remote sensing. Wide opportunities for collaboration exist with research institutions in the greater Munich area. 

Requirements

Applicants should have a PhD in a natural or physical science subject (physics, geography, ecology or similar); good programming skills (such as fortran, python); and excellent communication skills in English, proven also by scientific publications. Training or experience in Earth system modeling is highly desirable, but not essential.

The position is offered for three years starting October 2020, with the possibility to extend to a maximum of six years and acquire a “Habilitation”. The positions include teaching of 5 hours per week in the study programs of the Department of Geography. 

Your work place will be located in central Munich and is easy to reach by public transport. We offer an interesting and responsible position with good opportunities for vocational training and career development.

Payment will be in accordance with TV-L E13. Part-time work is in principal possible. Handicapped persons with comparable qualifications receive preferential status. Women are encouraged to apply.

Application procedure

Please send an application outlining your fit for the position (including a cover letter stating your experience in the topics outlined above and plans for research in our group, a curriculum vitae, copies of scientific degrees, and the names and contact information of two references) by April 08, 2020, preferably by e-mail (one PDF-attachment with max. 5MB only including all documents) to climate.jobs@geographie.uni-muenchen.de or by mail to Carmen Gassner, Lehrstuhl für Geographie und Landnutzungssysteme, Department für Geographie, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Luisenstr. 37, 80333 München. For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Julia Pongratz  (julia.pongratz@lmu.de).