Senior scientist and project coordinator in soil ecology

Senior scientist and project coordinator in soil ecology

Under the guidance of the department chair, the scientist will coordinate preliminary research and preparation of a joint grant application with 20 to 30 partners related to the UFZ Global Change Experimental Facility (GCEF). The GCEF is a field experimental platform currently under development combining manipulation of land use and climate scenarios as predicted for Central European agro-ecosystems. To foster optimal scientific output, a joint project involving expertise of the UFZ and the Universities of Leipzig, Halle and Jena has been initiated. Based on preliminary investigations the goal is to submit a joint application within two years.

Applicants should thus provide a visible leadership potential. In addition to this primary coordination duty, the scientist will contribute to the research team of the soil ecology department, which currently encompasses topics and tools in molecular biology, soil organic carbon dynamics, PLFA, enzyme profiling, and biotic interactions.
We are seeking a candidate with expertise in interdisciplinary field projects, ideally in a coordinating position. In addition, competence in one topic of soil ecology (e.g. element (N & P) cycling and partitioning in the plant soil system, root dynamics, mesofauna) as well as sound technical expertise (e.g. use of isotopes, soil microbiology, ecophysiology, mesocosm experiments or modelling and analysis of complex data sets) are required.

Applicants must have a PhD or Dr. rer, nat. in biology or equivalent disciplines with majors in soil biology/ ecology. We also ask for post doc experience, if possible, within the frame of a collaborative interdisciplinary field project. Additionally, proven records of grant acquisition and publications are highly desired. For the position it is absolutely necessary to be fluent in both German and English as good communication and organization skills are required.

The post is based in Halle/Saale (Germany). Salary will be according to the applicable German civil service level (TVöD) until to the compensations group 13. Women are explicitly encouraged to apply in order to increase their share in science and research. Physically handicapped persons will be favoured if they are equally qualified.
This fixed-term position will start on 1st April 2010 or later and is initially available for 2 years.

Application

A short application should be send by email to Prof. Dr. François Buscot (francois.buscot@ufz.de), and a complete application (including a short cover letter with research statement, CV, complete list of publications, contact details of two references) to the Personnel Department of the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, PO Box 500136, D-04318 Leipzig, Germany, or by email to application@ufz.de. Closing date is 15th March 2010.

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