Doctoral student (m/f/d) in the field of Tropical Stream Ecology

Doctoral student (m/f/d) in the field of Tropical Stream Ecology

Employer: Justus Liebig University Giessen

Location: Giessen, Germany

Sector: Biogeosciences (BG), Hydrological Sciences (HS)

Type: Part-time (65%)

Level: Entry level

The salary is in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV-H).

Required education: Master

Posted on: 15 January 2025

Application deadline: 14 February 2025

Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 26,500 students and 5,700 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories – your own and those of our university.

Position Overview:

The position is part of the externally funded DFG Research Unit 5064 “The role of nature for human well-being in the Kilimanjaro Social-Ecological System (Kili-SES)” and is to be filled on a fixed-term basis in accordance with § 2 WissZeitVG and § 72 HessHG with the opportunity for own academic qualification at the Chair of Land Use Systems with a focus on Agroforestry, Department of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management. You will be employed for a period of 42 months, as long as the maximum permissible duration of a fixed-term contract is not exceeded.

Kili-SES consists of seven sub-projects, investigating the interactions and interdependencies between people and nature at Mount Kilimanjaro under land-use, climate, and governance change. You will focus on the relationship between water quality, aquatic biodiversity, and riparian forests.

Your tasks at a glance:

1. Organisation and implementation of field campaigns for the collection of data on water quality and aquatic ecology on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
2. Laboratory analysis and determination of macroinvertebrates at our partner institution Nelson Mandela – African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha (Tanzania).
3. Support maintenance of the hydrological monitoring network.
4. Data management and analysis.
5. GIS-based spatial analysis and statistical modelling.
6. Publication and presentation of project results in peer-reviewed international journals, at conferences, and to the public.
7. Close collaboration with other scientists in the (sub-)project.

Your qualifications and competences:

1. Completed scientific university degree (Master) in ecology, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, geosciences, biology, or a related degree programme.
2. Creativity and interest in developing and implementing your own scientific approaches.
3. Knowledge of aquatic ecology, hydrology, statistical, and spatial analysis (R, Python, GIS).
4. Technical and analytical skills in field experiments and in the laboratory.
5. Ability to organise work processes.
6. Willingness to work in the field for extended periods in Tanzania, also under challenging tropical conditions.
7. Ability to work in a team and good communication skills.
8. A very good command of written and spoken English.
9. Willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment and interest in intercultural exchange.

Our offer to you:

1. A varied job with flexible working hours.
2. Free use of local public transport (LandesTicket Hessen).
3. More than 100 training seminars, workshops, and e-learning opportunities per year for personal development, as well as a wide range of health and sports activities.
4. Remuneration according to TV-H, company pension scheme, child allowance, and special payments.
5. Good compatibility of family and career (certificate “audit familiengerechte hochschule”).

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Suzanne Jacobs by phone (+49 (0)641-99 37375) or by e-mail ( ).

JLU aims to employ more women in academic research. We therefore particularly encourage female candidates to apply. JLU is regarded as a family-friendly university. Applicants with children are very welcome. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.

How to apply:

Apply via our online form by February 14th, 2025, indicating reference number 115/09. We look forward to receiving your application.

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