The Institute for Biodiversity of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, in Braunschweig, Germany, is seeking to fill a temporary position of a

Research Assistant

Focus on 'Biodiversity Impacts of Different Cultivation Methods on Plantations in Central America'

for three years starting from February 1 2024 for research work within the framework of the third-party funded project 'Large-scale transformation towards biodiversity-friendly, climate resilient agriculture through risk finance solutions and enabling policy and trade frameworks' (acronym: BioFinCas) with 100 % of regular working hours (currently 39 hours/week).

TheBioFinCas project is developing holistic solutions along the value chain to promote a large-scale transformation towards biodiversity-friendly agriculture in the project countries Dominican Republic, Guatemala and Mexico. The transdisciplinary approach of the project includes the development of risk financing and policy instruments, investigation and assessment of the impacts on biodiversity and socio-economics, training of local stakeholders and monitoring of the transformation process.

The advertised position includes field studies on biodiversity and ecosystem functions of banana, coffee and cocoa cropping systems in the project countries, modelling of the effects of different farming practices on biodiversity through collation and statistical synthesis of studies already carried out, and the development of indicators for the biodiversity of cropping systems in preparation for monitoring of the biodiversity development in the course of the transformation process.

Tasks:

• Fieldwork on biodiversity and ecosystem functions of cropping systems in the project countries
• Collection of results and data from studies already carried out on biodiversity and ecosystem functions of cropping systems and statistical synthesis/metaanalysis
• Development of indicators for monitoring biodiversity development in cropping systems
• Guidance of local stakeholders in methods of monitoring
• Publication of research results in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international conferences
• Assistance in the creation of reports

Required Qualifications:

• University degree (M.Sc./ Univ.-Diploma) in the fields of ecology, nature conservation, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences or similar disciplines
• Interest in solving questions of agroecology/environmental science
• In-depth knowledge of community ecology and biodiversity
• Good knowledge of statistical modelling and the software environment R
• Enjoyment of scientific work
• goal-oriented working style and independent way of working
• good communication skills, strong ability to cooperate and work in a team
• Good command of written and spoken English
• Knowledge of Spanish and experience in Latin America is an advantage

We offer you the opportunity to work on socially highly relevant issues at the interface between science and practice in an active and stimulating research environment and to make use of contacts with national and international research institutions and organizations. Because the professional and personal development of our employees is important to us, we offer extensive offers of professional training and further education.

We support the compatibility of work and family and are the holder of the audit berufundfamilie certificate. In order to support the compatibility, the Thünen Institute offers, among other things, flexible working time models, home office and teleworking within the scope of the official possibilities. Part-time is possible in principle.

The employment relationship is based on the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD). Salary payment is in accordance with pay group 13 of the TVöD if the collective agreement and personal requirements are met.

The position to be filled is subject to the grant approval letter issued for the project and the sufficient availability of the allocated funds.

The Thünen Institute promotes professional equality between women and men and therefore expressly welcomes applications from women.

The Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly welcome. They will be given special consideration in the selection process.

For further information, please contact Dr. Jan Thiele (jan.thiele@thuenen.de; Phone: +49 531 596-3324).

Applications with a curriculum vitae in tabular form, incl. a description of your education and professional career, addresses for two references and copies of certificates must be submitted electronically (as a single PDF document) by Deccember 08 2023, quoting the reference number 2023-251-BD to

bd@thuenen.de

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut
Institut für Biodiversität
Bundesallee 65

D-38116 Braunschweig

Information in accordance with Article 13 DSGVO on the collection of personal data can be found at www.thuenen.de/de/thuenen-institut/karriere.