Job offers of the Thünen Institute

Scientist (m/f/d)

The Institute of Sea Fisheries at the Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, in Bremerhaven is offering a full-time position (currently 39 hours per week) for a

Scientist (m/f/d)

for the collection of fisheries data and analysis of fishing impact on benthic ecosystems and habitats. The position is to be filled as soon as possible. The aim is to exploit the full potential of available data and models (e.g., VMS data, logbook data, biological survey data) to develop a better understanding and appropriate indicators of fishing and other impacts on the seafloor.

Analysing fishing activities with different gear types across various temporal and spatial scales and their impact on benthos is central to the announced position. The successful candidate is expected to significantly contribute to future development of the Thünen research profile and policy advice in this field. As part of a small research group, the candidate will investigate patterns of fishing effort based on satellite data from the vessel monitoring system (VMS), data from the Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and log books and combine these data sets with georeferenced data e.g. from biological surveys or remote sensing. The research will allow mapping of fishing effort of various fisheries being one of the main human pressures on the ocean at a high resolution and understanding its impact on seafloor integrity and services provided by benthic ecosystems. It will further significantly contribute to implementing an ecosystem approach to fisheries management in the frame of the European Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Development of an ecological risk assessment approach in relation to fishing impacts including development of appropriate indicators is a second main task of the announced position.

Work to be carried out is expected to fulfil national reporting requirements under the EU fisheries data collection regulation (DCF, EU-MAP) and MFSD and will support the German contributions to international conventions such as ICES, OSPAR und HELCOM.

Responsibilities:

• Collection, statistical analyses and interpretation of VMS, AIS, logbook and biological monitoring data
• Statistical multivariate analyses of time series on benthic organisms and communities, deriving pressure-state-relationships
• Application of artificial intelligence, self-learning algorithms to handle, analyse and interpret large and diverse data sets, e.g. from remote sensing, satellite tracking ('BigData' technologies)
• Geostatistical analyses und modelling of georeferenced data on fishing effort, fishing impacts and environmental data to advise on spatial management and marine conservation
• Develop and apply ecological risk assessment approaches
• Participation in relevant working groups of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
• Presentation of scientific results in peer-reviewed publications, but also to the public (for example in the internet and other media, or through lectures or other publications)

Professional requirements:

• University degree (M.Sc. or comparable degree) preferably with a PhD in Biological Oceanography or fisheries biology with profound skills in (geo)-statistics or informatics or a related field. Alternatively, University degree (M.Sc. or comparable degree) preferably with a PhD in (geo)-statistics or informatics or a related field with profound knowledge biological oceanography or fisheries
• Profound experience in handling and analysing large data sets, preferably experience with the application of AI and BigData technologies
• Profound knowledge in statistics and statistical modelling for (a) analysing cause effect relationships, (b) time series analyses, and (c) analysing and modelling georeferenced data
• Knowledge about marine and benthic ecosystems

Personal requirements:

• Analytical mind and critical judgment abilities
• Team player with the ability to work independently and in the context of interdisciplinary projects
• High level of personal motivation, initiative and organizational skills as well as good time management skills
• Ability to present complex issues clearly and understandably in writing and verbally for different target groups
• Very good knowledge of spoken and written English and a strong commitment to learn German

We offer you an opportunity to work on a variety of relevant societal questions in a lively and stimulating research environment, and the chance to use contacts with national and international research institutions and organisations. As the professional and personal development of our staff is important to us, we offer a family-friendly working environment, flexible working time models as well as extensive professional training and further education opportunities.

The employment is governed by the Wage Agreement for Public Services (TVöD-Bund). The payment of remuneration is in accordance with tariff category 14 TVöD. Part-time employment is possible in principle.

The Thünen Institute promotes the professional gender equality of women and men and therefore welcomes the application of women.

The Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore strongly encouraged. These applications will be given special consideration in the selection process.

For further questions, please contact Dr. Gerd Kraus (E-Mail: gerd.kraus@thuenen.de) or Dr. Christoph Stransky (E-Mail: christoph.stransky@thuenen.de).

Please send written applications in electronic form (summarized in a pdf file), with a motivation letter, a tabular overview of academic achievements and professional experience (with corresponding copies of certificates) under the reference „DCF-Fischereiauswirkungen“ by July, 25rd, 2019 to

sf-bewerbungen@thuenen.de

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut

Institut für Seefischerei

Herwigstrasse 31, 27572 Bremerhaven

Germany

Information about Article 13 DSGVO: www.thuenen.de/datenschutzhinweis-bewerbungen.

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