View job here

The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) invites applications for a PhD position to assess greenhouse gas dynamics (GHG) in natural and engineered urban aquatic systems. The overarching goal is to determine the GHG footprint of a whole city with a particular focus on methane. The position is based at the Department of Experimental Limnology on Lake Stechlin north of Berlin. Funding has been secured for 3 years.

We seek to recruit an excellent and highly motivated doctoral student with an interest in greenhouse gas dynamics in urban aquatic systems. 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

  • Deploy new technology for high-frequency measurements and identify urban emission hotspots
  • Conduct field campaigns to refine an existing data set on emissions from urban water systems with a view to develop an emission flux model for a whole city
  • Analyse data, prepare manuscripts, and present results at scientific meetings
  • Closely collaborate, exchange data, and mutual support within the UWI graduate school
  • Complete a doctoral dissertation

Your profile

  • Interest in greenhouse gases and urban aquatic systems
  • MSc degree in environmental science, biogeochemistry, ecology, microbial ecology, geophysics or a related field
  • Experience with field work on aquatic ecosystems, and biogeochemical, chemical and ecological analyses
  • Preferably expertise with measuring trace gas fluxes
  • Versatility in handling and analyzing large data sets
  • Interest in integrating in a large team
  • Clean driver licence

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 F8, your CV including 2 references, a letter of recommendation, Bachelor and Master certificates, and your Master Thesis. Reviews of the applications will begin on 5 April 2021 and continue until the position has been filled. Please apply through our recruitment platform at www.igb-berlin.de/en/jobs, citing job reference number 03/2021. Enquiries can be directed to Prof. Dr. Mark Gessner at gessner@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