The University of Hamburg jointly with the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology and the Institute for Coastal Research at the GKSS Research Centre is establishing a trans-disciplinary research focus on "Integrated Climate System Analysis and Prediction". The goal is to analyze ongoing and past changes of the state of the climate system, in response to natural and human-driven perturbations, to determine predictable elements of the climate system over a broad range of space and time scales, and to determine uncertainties intrinsic to predictions of important climate system and environmental indices (see www.clisap.de).

The Cluster of Excellence, KlimaCampus Hamburg, invites applicants for a

Ecosystem and biogeochemical modelling in close cooperation with researchers from the Institute for Hydrobiology and Fisheries Science and the Institute of Oceanography.

For this project, the university has two 65% FTE (25 hours/week) positions open for

research associates (PhD-students)
(wissenschaftliche MitarbeiterInnen / Doktoranden/DoktorandInnen)

- salary group 13 TV-L - with a starting date as soon as possible.

1. Modelling biologically induced feedback mechanisms in marine systems

Reference: 1957-PhD-2

The effects of marine biota on their physical (e.g., light field, temperature) and chemical environment (nutrient fields) will be investigated with focus on positive and negative feedback loops within the system. The goal is to identify the role of species' characteristics (e.g. migration behaviour) on a variety of temporal and spatial scales.

2. Modelling phytoplankton-zooplankton interactions under climate change

The seasonal cycles of phyto- and zooplankton biomass depend to a large degree on temperature, either directly (e.g., via increased metabolism) or indirectly (e.g., via stratification). The current coupling between the trophic levels relies on the match of spawning time and food availability. In a warmer climate, the temporal evolution of phyto- and zooplankton may drift out of phase, with net changes in productivity on various levels. The underlying mechanisms, the potential for regime shifts, and the ecological/biogeochemical consequences will be investigated.

The short-term contract will last 3 years from start, in accordance with §§ 27, 28 Hamburg Higher Education Law (Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz); see also § 2 of the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Law (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz).

The university intends to increase the number of women amongst its academic personnel and expressly encourages qualified women to apply. In compliance with the Hamburg Equal Opportunity Law, preference will be given to qualified female applicants.

A research associate's duties include academic service in the project "Advancement of Coupled Climate Ocean Ecosystem Modelling". Within this framework associates have the opportunity to further their academic education, in particular through the completion of a doctoral dissertation. The data obtained in the project may be used for the dissertation. The PhD students will participate in CliSAP's "School of Integrated Climate System Science (SICSS)".

Specific Area of Responsibility:

The successful candidates will apply and extend existing ecosystem models in idealized configurations and regional applications.

Requirements:

MSc or diploma in (theoretical and marine) biology, oceanography, physics, geosciences or a related field. Basic knowledge in programming (e.g., FORTRAN) and LINUX or UNIX would be an advantage. The willingness to cooperate with colleagues from other disciplines is a prerequisite for this position.

Application dossiers (application letter, cv, certificate(s), etc.) incl. reference number (1957-PhD-2 or 1957-PhD-3) are to be submitted preferably by e-mail to:

The deadline for receipt of applications is 25 May 2009. .

For more information please contact:

Please do not submit any original copies of your documents.

Preference will be given to disabled applicants with equal qualifications.