As a University of Excellence, Universität Hamburg is one of the strongest research universities
in Germany. As a flagship university in the greater Hamburg region, it nurtures innovative,
cooperative contacts to partners within and outside academia. It also provides and promotes
sustainable education, knowledge, and knowledge exchange locally, nationally, and
internationally.
The Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Biology,
Institute of Plant Sciences and Microbiology invites applications for a
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE (POSTDOC)
Vegetation EcologyThe position in accordance with Section 28 subsection 2 of the Hamburg higher education act (Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz, HmbHG) commences on 01.03.2020.
This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor
contract act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG). The initial fixed term is three
years. The contract provides for a maximum extension of up to three years depending on the
associate’s achievements during the first stage. Providing that a position is available and that
requirements have been fulfilled, the associate may apply for temporary civil servant status in
accordance with Section 28 subsection 2 HmbHG. The position is full-time and comprises 39
hours per week (40 for civil servants).
Responsibilities:
Duties include teaching and research in the respective department or institute. Research
associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications as well
as acquire teaching experience. These duties are intended to promote academic achievement.
Therefore, at least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the associate’s
own academic work.
Specific Duties:
The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the research area 'Ecology and Biological
Resources' of the Department of Biology. Being integrated in the Research Unit 'Applied Plant
Ecology', she or he will carry out independent research in the field of vegetation ecology,
preferably with an emphasis on processes in coastal ecosystems under global change. It is
expected that the successful candidate takes over a key-role in the world-unique salt-marsh
warming experiment established by the 'Applied Plant Ecology' group. She or he will be
responsible in supervising undergraduate and graduate students (BSc Biology, MSc Biology).
The teaching obligation is 4 teaching hours per week. Teaching will include plant ecology
classes at the undergraduate and the graduate level, both in the field and in the lab.
Requirements:
A university degree in a relevant subject plus doctorate. We are looking for a PostDoc in the
field of Vegetation Ecology with the main emphasis on ecosystems, communities or
populations. Candidates with a track-record in wetland ecology and especially in coastal and/or
estuarine wetlands will be preferred. The successful candidate is expected to have very good
knowledge in planning and conducting ecological experiments and in analyzing ecological data
(preferably with the software package R). Experience in interdisciplinary research would be
acknowledged. As teaching at the undergraduate level takes place in German, adequate
German language skills or the willingness to acquire German language skills within one year,
are necessary for this position.
The University aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and explicitly
encourages qualified women to apply. Equally qualified female applicants will receive
preference in accordance with the Hamburg act on gender equality (Hamburgisches
Gleichstellungsgesetz, HmbGleiG).
Qualified disabled candidates or applicants with equivalent status receive preference in the
application process.
For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Kai Jensen (+49 40 42816-576; kai.jensen@uni-
hamburg.de) or consult our website at www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/plantecology.
Interviews with well qualified candidates are scheduled for 11. & 12. December 2019.
Applications should include a cover letter, a tabular curriculum vitae, and copies of degree
certificate(s). Please send applications by 31.10.2019 to: kai.jensen@uni-hamburg.de.
Please do not submit original documents as we are not able to return them. Any documents
submitted will be destroyed after the application process has concluded.
