At the Institute of Botany and Landscape Ecology, Peatland Science Group, which belongs to the University of Greifswald’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, there is a job vacancy, subject to the allocation of funds, expected to be available beginning 01 April 2025, for a part-time position (65 %) as
Research Assistant
The position is limited to a period of 45 months. Payment will be made in accordance with pay group 13 TV-L Wissenschaft.
We are seeking highly motivated candidates for the establishment of the new Collaborative Research Centre “WETSCAPES2.0”, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). WETSCAPES2.0 combines expertise from the University of Greifswald, the University of Rostock, the IGB Berlin, GFZ Potsdam, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, the MPI for Biogeochemistry Jena, and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. WETSCAPES2.0 will focus on the functional understanding of rewetted fens, including coastal peatlands, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The rewetting of previously drained and often agriculturally used fens results in the development of novel ecosystems that differ from natural peatlands and are largely unexplored. The planned monitoring, experimental and modelling research place emphasis on biogeochemical, hydrological and biological processes, focusing on water and matter fluxes within and beyond the peat body and their associated microbiological and biological drivers. In addition to site-level studies, researchers will investigate the role of rewetted fens in the landscape on the whole.
In fen peatlands, peat is formed mainly from the roots of plants above the surface. Their production and (limited) decomposition control any new peat formation but might also affect the fate of old peat. This position will quantify plant production and plant litter decomposition in field study sites across Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and in controlled mesocosm setups. Novel techniques such as automated minirhizotrones, peat bags and root exudate trials will be combined with vegetation surveys, litterbags and ingrowth-cores to gain an in-depth understanding of plant production and decomposition.
Doctoral researchers will gain insights into multiple aspects of this interdisciplinary project, building comprehensive knowledge of WETSCAPES2.0's research themes and specialised expertise in their chosen topic. The integrated research training group “WETSKILLS” provides structured doctoral training, preparing participants for excellent career opportunities in academia and the industry.
For more details about the overarching research questions, specific topics, training programme, and contact details, please visit http://www.uni-greifswald.de/wetscapes2.
Tasks:
- Data sampling in field sites and their analyses
- Data sampling in mesocosm experiments and their analyses
- Publication of the obtained results in scientific journals
- Objective is to produce a cumulative doctorate on the topic
Required:
- M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in biology, ecology, geoecology or another related discipline by the time employment starts
- Solid background in plant ecology
- Experience with statistical analysis of experimental data, preferably in R
- Excellent English language skills
- Motivation to join an interdisciplinary research and training environment. Ability to work independently with a hands-on mentality, team spirit, helpfulness and reliability.
This vacancy is open to all persons, irrespective of gender. Severely disabled applicants with the same qualifications will be considered with preference.
In accordance with § 68(3) PersVG M-V, the Staff Council will only be involved in staff matters of the academic or artistic staff on request.
Unfortunately, application costs (e.g. travel expenses for interviews) will not be reimbursed by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Please note that by submitting your application, you provide your consent pursuant to data protection law for our processing of your application data. Further information about the legal bases and the use of your data can be found here.
Applications comprising all usual documents must be sent with reference to the job advertisement number 24/Wi37 by 15 January 2025, preferably via email (one PDF file), to:
Universität Greifswald
Institut für Botanik und Landschaftsökologie
Herrn Prof. Dr. Jürgen Kreyling
Soldmannstr. 15
17489 Greifswald
juergen.kreyling@uni-greifswald.de