The Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pharmacy & Psychology, Department of Special Botany and Functional Biodiversity Research offers from August 1, 2017 the following position:
SENIOR SCIENTIST IN FUNCTIONAL BIODIVERSITY RESEARCH JOB DESCRIPTION: We seek a candidate with the capability to develop and coordinate an independent research program in a field of plant ecology within the framework of the department’s focus on functional biodiversity research and functional biogeography. The scientific program should ideally address the challenge of scaling biodiversity-ecosystem functioning relationships from plot-level observations and experiments to macro-ecological patterns and processes. The candidate is expected to acquire external funding and support the teaching in vegetation ecology, general ecology and biostatistics. The position will allow the successful candidate to apply for a “Habilitation” (a prerequisite for a Professorship in Germany). QUALIFICATIONS: We expect a PhD degree, a background in ecology, botany, forest science, or environmental sciences, a deep interest in fundamental ecological questions, strong quantitative skills and proficiency in advanced statistical methods, field experience, teaching experience and a proven record of international publications. Modeling skills and knowledge of image analysis, remote sensing and GIS are a plus. A good floristic knowledge is desirable. The candidate should be an excellent team player and fluent in English (our group language). Teaching is mostly in English, but candidates from abroad are expected to learn German. DURATION AND SALARY: The goal of this position is to get a habilitation which generally takes 4-6 years. Due to legal constraints the official description of this in the job advertisement is the following: "limited depending on aim and duration of intended qualification" Salary is commensurate with training and research experience (Gross salary approx. $40-50,000 see Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L) BENEFITS OF WORKING IN OUR WORKING GROUP: We offer an international environment created by a very active and diverse group covering expertise in experimental and observational approaches and a wide range of statistical and eco-informatics methods; Lab facilities include NIRS, IRMS, Elemental and Lignin Analysis, Spectrometry, Laser Scanning, Dendrochronology and a fully equipped plant trait lab. Field facilities run by the group include the Botanical Garden of the University, the Leipzig Canopy Crane and a Research Arboretum. Our group is co-leading the TRY initiative and is involved in DFG research units in the field of functional biodiversity research. We initiated and lead the German Centre of Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig funded by DFG (http://www.idiv-biodiversity.de/) making Leipzig a global hotspot for biodiversity research. For more information on the work in our department, consult https://biologie.biphaps.uni-leipzig.de/de/ag/spezbot/. Official job listing at: http://www.uni-leipzig.de/universitaet/stellen-und-ausbildung/stellenausschreibungen/wissenschaftliches-personal.html#c186651 For best consideration, please send your application, a two-page statement of your research agenda, curriculum vitae, copies of your certificates and contact details of three academic referees with reference file number 85/2017 before May 31, 2017 to: Universität Leipzig Fakultät für Biowissenschaften, Pharmazie und Psychologie Herrn Dekan Professor Dr. Tilo Pompe Talstraße 33, 04103 Leipzig Germany Severely disabled persons are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.
