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The Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry, Chemical Analytics and Biogeochemistry Lab, of IGB in Berlin-Friedrichshagen at Lake Müggelsee is inviting applications for a full-time position of a Postdoctoral Researcher in Environmental Data Science, starting April 2024.

In the project ODER~SO, an interdisciplinary team of researchers investigates manifold aspects of the environmental catastrophe which occurred in the Oder River during summer of 2022, when a toxic algal bloom severely impacted the aquatic communities and had devastating consequences for the river ecosystem. The project aims to assess the current state of the Oder River, develop precautionary measures, and identify resilience factors that will be critical for the future protection of the ecosystem. This position is dedicated to the synoptic analysis of a large and diverse dataset obtained in the course of the project – satellite earth observation data, water quality and pollution data, in situ sensor time series, biological data – to reconstruct ecological boundary conditions and derive concepts for the identification of critical thresholds.

Your tasks

  • Monitoring the dynamics of potentially toxic algal blooms in the Oder River and connected water bodies through the processing and analysis of Earth observation satellite data (e.g. Sentinel-2).
  • Multivariate analysis of long-term data, e.g. water chemistry and hydrology, using statistically robust trend and pattern recognition in time series analysis
  • Synoptic evaluation of data collected in the ODER~SO project: in situ water quality monitoring, ex situ lab data, remote sensing data, with varying spatial and temporal resolution.
  • Work closely with other members of the project team to provide scientific concepts for the knowledge and information platform on the development of algal blooms and water quality in the Oder River Network.
  • Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals
  • Contributions to the overall scientific activities, publication and communication activities of the project

Your profile

  • A PhD in mathematics, data science, computer science, environmental science, or a related field.
  • Excellent experience in working with earth observation data, and large, multiscaled and multivariate data sets, descriptive and analytical statistics, time series analysis.
  • Strong experience in GIS and/or experience in spatially explicit modelling of e.g. water quality, hydrology, or watersheds.
  • Strong coding skills in R and preferably one of the following languages: Python, Julia, C.
  • Experience and interest in ecological and interdisciplinary research.
  • Strong publication record, commensurate with career stage.
  • Strong English language skills in oral and written communication.
  • Willingness to work in an international, diverse project team.

Our offer

We offer an exciting position in an international and dynamic scientific environment including excellent equipment and technical support. We foster your career development by providing qualification and training opportunities. We actively support the reconciliation of work and family life.

Salary is paid according to the German salary scheme for the public sector (TVöD Bund E13). It is a full-time position with 39 working hours per week, fixed-term for 2 years. The position is principally suited for part-time work.

The IGB is committed to diversity. We welcome every qualified application, regardless of sex and gender, origin, nationality, religion, belief, health and disabilities, age or sexual orientation. IGB is committed to increasing the number of women in this field, therefore applications from women are particularly welcome. Disabled applicants with equal qualification and aptitude will be given preferential consideration.

Are you interested?

We look forward to receiving your application by February 29th, 2024 with the usual documents (letter of intent, academic CV including a list of publications, certificates and two references). Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please state the job reference number 06/2024 and apply exclusively via our recruitment platform at www.igb-berlin.de/en/jobs.

Questions can be directed to Dr. Tobias Goldhammer by phone (+49 30 64181735) or, preferably, by e-mail (tobias.goldhammer@igb-berlin.de).

"Research for the future of our freshwaters" is the mission of IGB – Germany’s largest and one of the leading international centres for freshwater research. In order to investigate different aspects of freshwater ecosystems, their biota and societal relevance, we unit a wide range of disciplines and understand research as a joint effort. With more than 350 employees and guests from all over the world, we conduct research at five locations in Berlin and at Lake Stechlin (Brandenburg). IGB is a member of the German Leibniz Association and the Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V. www.igb-berlin.de