Postdoctoral researcher (f_m_x) Urban Air Quality, Mobility, and Health

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Job description:

The Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) conducts research with the aim of investigating, identifying, and advancing development pathways for transformation processes towards sustainability in Germany and abroad. The institute was founded in 2009 as the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS) and has been affiliated with the Helmholtz Centre Potsdam – GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences under its new name since the 1st of January 2023 and is thus part of the Helmholtz Association.

For our research group Urban Air Quality, Mobility, and Health, we are looking for a:

Reference Number: 10065

This post-doctoral researcher position will be within the Urban Air Quality, Mobility, and Health research group at RIFS. Research in the group is focused on air quality measurements and monitoring in urban areas to assess the impact of mobility policies on human health and exposure. The research group applies a transdisciplinary approach.

The responsibilities of the position will be split between core funded research and a third-party funded project. The responsibilities for both will be in the same direction and the efforts will be coordinated.

Your responsibilities:

• Design and implementation of measurement campaigns, often in an inter- and transdisciplinary project context
• Deployment, calibration, and maintenance of air pollution measurement instrumentation (reference instrumentation and small sensors), including trouble-shooting
• Data analysis, including application of statistical techniques; experience with big data is an advantage
• Data management support
• Engagement with stakeholders as part of project work
• Preparation of peer-reviewed journal articles and conference presentations

Your qualifications:

Professional and Methodological competencies:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) and a PhD degree in Atmospheric Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, or other related discipline
• Robust knowledge of air pollution instrumentation and/or measurement techniques
• Data analysis skills using R or Python required; knowledge of other programming (e.g., SQL) and data analysis software beneficial
• Proficiency with GIS tools (e.g. GDAL/OGR) to manipulate raster and vector data
• Knowledge of statistical methods, especially for the processing of time-series air pollution data, isolation of local effects
• Knowledge of and experience with transdisciplinary approaches beneficial
• Experience with engagement with non-academic actors strongly beneficial

Personal Competencies:

• Need to be able to work independently and with a team
• Ability to work without supervision on complex tasks
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Need to be able to handle multiple workflows simultaneously and independently make decisions accordingly
• English language fluency required; strong German language skills required
• Strong communication skills, especially in face of challenging situations and ability to interact respectfully with coworkers

What we offer:

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment
• State-of-the-art equipment
• Public service benefits
• Extensive training opportunities
• Professional career advice offered by our in-house Career-Centre
• Flexible working hours and conditions
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by
• Workplace at the RIFS campus, Helmholtzstr. 5 with good public connections

Start date: As soon as possible
Fixed-term: 36 months
Salary: The position is classed as salary group 13 according to “TVöD Bund (Tarifgebiet Ost)”. The salary group is determined on the basis of the Collective Wage Agreement and the respective personal qualifications.
Working hours: Full-time (currently 39 h/week); The position is generally suitable for part-time work.
Place of work: Potsdam

Have we piqued your interest?
If so, we look forward to receiving your application including your CV (ideally without a photo) and a letter of motivation by 8th January 2024 . Please use our online application form only.

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The RIFS actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics. Anyone who has been recognized as severely disabled will be given preferential consideration in the event of equal suitability and qualification in accordance with the provisions of the German Social Code IX.

Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the selection procedure on the basis of Art. 6 para. 1 b, Art. 88 GDPR in conjunction with Art. 26 of the Data Protection Act for the State of Brandenburg. After completion of the procedure, application documents will be deleted in compliance with data protection regulations.

In case of any further queries relating to the field of activity, please contact Erika von Schneidemesser via email. If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact our recruiting team at our phone number +49 (0) 331-6264-28787.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organisation.

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