PhD position in ecological / biogeochemical modelling of the Amazon basin

The Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Potsdam,
Germany, invites applications for a PhD position in the Department of
Global Change and Natural Systems, on the topics of connecting ecosystem
dynamics in the Amazon basin with fluxes of carbon between atmosphere,
biosphere and the tropical Atlantic.

The successful candidate will be supported through the WGL-TRACES
project and work in a multidisciplinary team which focuses on the role
of the Amazon as a 'hot spot' in the Earth system. The major fluxes of
carbon through the ecosystem are highly dynamic, important to climate
and ecosystem services and incompletely known today. The team consists
of terrestrial and aquatic ecologists, as well as Earth system
modellers. The work by the candidate will contribute directly to key
questions in Earth system science.

Basic (undergraduate) knowledge of the ecology and biogeochemistry of
terrestrial and freshwater systems is necessary -- knowledge from
tropical ecosystems an advantage. At least some experience with
numerical modelling technics as well as basic programming is required.
The ability to work in a team, communication skills with good written
and spoken English are also needed. Applicants should have a masters
degree (or comparable) in a relevant discipline of the environmental
sciences.

To apply please send your application with a clear and specific
motivation for your interest in this position, together with a
curriculum vitae, and the contact details of 2 academic referees to
Wolfgang Cramer (PIK, Potsdam, Germany), by e-mail:
Wolfgang.Cramer@pik-potsdam.de (http://www.pik-potsdam.de/~cramer).

The position is available immediately and there is no fixed deadline: we
hope to fill the position as soon as we find a highly suitable
candidate. The envisaged duration of employment (which may be split into
several contracts) is 36 months. At the end of this time, the candidate
should defend a PhD thesis in environmental sciences / geoecology at
Potsdam University.

We aim to improve our gender balance and therefore encourage women to
apply. We also give particular attention to applications by disabled
persons.

For further information you can contact Wolfgang Cramer or else Heike
Zimmermann-Timm (Heike.Zimmermann-Timm@pik-potsdam.de).