At the University of Greifswald’s Institute of Geography and Geology, Earth Observation and Geoinformation Science Lab in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, there is a job vacancy starting 1 April 2025, subject to the allocation of funds, for a part-time (65 %)
Research Assistant.
The position is to be filled for a limited period of 45 months. Payment will be made according to pay group 13 TV‑L Wissenschaft.
The position is part of the newly established 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 focuses 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
For more details about the overarching research questions, specific topics, training program and contact details, please visit http://www.uni-greifswald.de/wetscapes2.
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.
Job Description:
- Analysis of vegetation dynamics on rewetted peatlands and in their direct surroundings using geodata and remote sensing imagery with machine learning algorithms
- Modelling of vegetation phenology and biomass development in peatlands and research on the spatio-temporal transfer of respective models
- Processing of multispectral and hyperspectral satellite data time series (Landsat, Sentinel-2, EnMAP) partly incorporating airborne and UAS-based data
- Acquisition of field data in the region around Greifswald and Rostock
- Presentation of research work and results in scientific publications and at international conferences
Job Requirements:
We are looking for highly motivated applicants with above-average qualifications, enthusiasm and experience in research and a willingness to actively participate in an interdisciplinary research environment. Successful applicants will have:
- University degree (MSc or equivalent) in geography, landscape ecology, environmental science, geoinformatics or neighboring disciplines.
- Profound knowledge in remote sensing of land systems, including the processing of multispectral and multitemporal Earth observation data (proven by, e.g. an MSc dissertation)
- Good programming skills in R or Python
- Experience in using remote sensing and GIS software
- Very good English language skills for the preparation of scientific publications and the presentation of research results at international conferences
Desirable:
- Knowledge in the processing of Sentinel-2 and Landsat data
- Experience in field data acquisition (incl. UAS data), in working with Google Earth Engine, SNAP or FORCE and in publishing scientific results
- International academic exchanges
- Driving license (class B)
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/Sa32 by 15 January 2025, preferably via email (one PDF file), to:
University of Greifswald
Institute of Geography and Geology
Prof. Dr. Sebastian van der Linden
Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Str. 16
17489 Greifswald
sebastian.linden@uni-greifswald.de