The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 22.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.

University of Kassel, faculty Ecological Agricultural Sciences in Witzenhausen, Department Agroecosystem Analysis and Modelling, Prof. Dr. Christoph Gornott

Research Assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed-term position (currently 30 hours per week)

Application deadline:	13.05.2024
Date of hire:	as soon as possible
vacancy number:	37276

funded for three years, position as PostDoc or PhD researcher, 75% of Fulltime. The position can be increased to full-time.

The position is funded for three years (§ 2 Abs. 1 WissZeitVG) with the possibility to prolong. There is a possibility to write a dissertation (PhD) or a habilitation (PostDoc).

The Department “Agroecosystem Analysis and Modelling” has a strong collaboration with the Working Group “Adaptation in Agricultural Systems” at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK).

We are looking for a Postdoctoral researcher to join our team in the field of process-based crop modelling for estimating climate impacts and derive adaptation measures for agriculture. Working together with PIK, universities, research institutes, international organizations, we aim to publish findings in high impact journals and transform research into user-oriented climate services and policy transfer that enables stakeholders to better adapt to climate change in the field of agriculture.

Responsibilities:

• Conception, implementation and evaluation of research work in the field of climate impact assessment in agriculture. The focus areas will depend on the interests and ideas of the applicants as well as the project specifications.

• Co-development of a process-based framework for estimating the proportion of observed agricultural production losses attributable to climate change, taking into account a range of climate hazards.

• Preparation and analysis of historical and counterfactual climate data without climate change, for example from the ISIMIP or CMIP6 projects, for selected case studies.

• Application of process-based crop models using the described climate data with the aim of determining the proportion of crop losses attributable to changes in the mean climate or to extreme climate and weather events.

• Coordinate and contribute to the implementation of research projects through close collaboration with other researchers at the University of Kassel, PIK and stakeholders.

• Writing and publishing articles in peer-reviewed journals highlighting the results of research projects and presenting research findings at international conferences.

• Liaising and maintaining communication with project sponsors, responding to requests for information, preparing project progress reports and strategy papers.

• Support with data collection and analysis.

• Supporting the department in the area of teaching

• Managing projects, developing new project proposals and applying for funding.

Requirements:

• You have a Master's degree in one of the following fields: agricultural science, agricultural economics, geography, environmental science, climate science or similar. If a doctorate has been completed, there is the possibility of a habilitation. The required degree must be available by the recruitment date

• Solid understanding of climate influences on yield formation. Experience in working with process-based yield models.

• Have experience or interest in process-based crop modelling or related climate impact modelling.

• You have solid knowledge of statistics, programming skills in R or Python. You are familiar with large data sets and corresponding file formats (e.g. NetCDF).

• You have strong analytical skills and excellent scientific writing skills, excellent communication skills and are fluent in written and spoken English.

• You are able to work independently, goal-oriented and autonomously.

• Experience in project management and research proposal writing is an advantage.

Application documents should comprise a letter of motivation including research interests (1-2 pages), CV, list of publications, relevant certificates, and a short sample of your work (approx. 3-8 pages) or a journal publication in one PDF document. Please indicate in your letter of motivation if you apply for the PhD or the PostDoc position.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Christoph Gornott, E-Mail: gornott(at)uni-kassel.de.

Our Offer:

As an employee of the University of Kassel

you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
is your workplace with good connections to public transport, which you can currently use free of charge.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as:

an additional company pension (VBL),
an optional child supplement in accordance with TV-Hessen, a family-friendly university (including childcare for emergencies),
an annual bonus
an entitlement to capital-accumulation benefits,
a promotion of voluntary commitment,
low-cost participation in university sports and a full range of fitness activities as part of Unifit, as well as workplace health management

You can find more jobs at stellen.uni-kassel.de

Please send your application with the usual informative documents, stating the reference number in the subject line, via the online form. We have compiled further information for you in our FAQ .

In exceptional cases, we will also accept your application documents in paper form addressed to: The President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany, or via mail to , stating the reference number.

In the case of postal applications, please submit only copies of your documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned. All documents will be destroyed after completion of the selection process in compliance with data protection regulations.

The protection of your personal information is very important to us, so we will handle your personal information with care. By your application, you allow us the storage and use in the sense of the Hessian Data Protection and Freedom of Information Act. You can object to this at any time. Your personal data will be deleted.

Information according to Art. 13 DSGVO for the application process at the University of Kassel can be found at:

Information and FAQ about applying for a job offer:

The University of Kassel is very interested in the professional satisfaction of its employees. It is distinguished as a family-friendly university and, in the interests of equal opportunities, strives to offer everyone the same opportunities for development and to counteract existing disadvantages. It promotes the Family Welcome Service and also the Dual Career Service for positions that are scientifically and academically filled. One of the strategic goals of the University of Kassel is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. Seriously handicapped and equivalent applicants are given preference if they have the same suitability, qualifications and professional performance. Full-time positions are generally divisible (except when filling civil servant positions). Applications indicating the Position Number, which may be in digital form, should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel, Germany quoting the applicable reference number.