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The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) invites applications for a PhD position to assess the effect of invasive mussels on urban lake water quality for drinking water production by bank filtration. The position is based at the Department of Ecosystem Research in Berlin. Funding has been secured for 3 years.

We seek to recruit an excellent and highly motivated doctoral student with an interest in fieldwork, analysing long-term and remote sensing data and applying an existing ecosystem model to quantify effects of mussel invasions on urban lake water quality. The position is part of a graduate school funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) as part of the Research Training Group “Urban Water Interfaces” (UWI). The consortium involves multiple fellow students, scientists and engineers at IGB and the Berlin Institute of Technology (TU Berlin).

Your tasks

  • Analyze long-term water quality data of urban lakes Müggelsee, Tegel and Wannsee and their well galleries
  • Conduct model simulations using the ecosystem model PCLake in cooperation with
  • Analyze phosphorus fractions in sediments
  • Apply remote sensing techniques to detect changes in cyanobacteria abundances
  • Prepare manuscripts and present results at conferences
  • Closely collaborate, exchange data, and mutual support within the UWI graduate school
  • Complete a doctoral dissertation

Your profile

  • MSc degree in environmental science or environmental engineering, biology, ecology, or a related field
  • Experience with analyzing large data sets, modelling and preferably remote sensing technologies
  • Interest in cooperation with NIOO (The Netherlands)

Our offer

We offer an interesting position in an international and dynamic scientific environment. We foster career development by providing qualification and training opportunities. The reconciliation of work and family life is actively supported. Qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications will be treated equally, independent of gender. Severely disabled persons with equal qualification will be given priority. This is a fixed-term position. Salary is paid according to the German salary scale for the public sector (TVöD Bund). The working language at IGB is English.

Are you interested?

We look forward to receiving your complete application including a letter of motivation indicating research interests and experience and the project key F5, your CV including 2 references, a letter of recommendation, Bachelor and Master certificates, and your Master Thesis. Reviews of the applications will begin on 1 March 2021 and continue until the position has been filled. Please upload your application in a single PDF file on the UWI online application platform at https://webserver.service.tu-berlin.de/candidate.php. Enquiries can be directed to PD Dr. Sabine Hilt at hilt@igb-berlin.de.


“Research for the future of our freshwaters” is the mission of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). The IGB is Germany’s largest and an internationally leading research centre for freshwaters. We seek to understand the fundamental processes governing fresh waters and their communities. Our research findings help to tackle global environmental changes and to develop measures for sustainable water management. The IGB is a diverse and inspiring place to work and conduct research. We promote individual development at every career level and stand for lively exchange and cooperation. With more than 350 employees and guests from all over the world, we conduct research at five locations in Berlin and at Lake Stechlin north of the city. IGB closely collaborates with numerous national and international universities and other partners in science and society and is a member of the Leibniz Association, which connects 96 independent public research institutes in Germany. www.igb-berlin.de