Job offers of the Thünen Institute

Research Scientist / PhD candidate (f/m/d)

The Institute of Sea Fisheries within the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, is offering a temporary position for 3 years beginning on 01.11.2020, subject to approval of the project “BioWeb”, for a

Research Scientist / PhD candidate (f/m/d)

The position is part-time with 65 % of the regular working time (i.e. currently 25.35 hrs/week).

The Institute of Sea Fisheries conducts research on ecological and economic issues of fisheries. The advertised position is associated to the field of activity “Marine Ecosystems” (see "Research Profile of the Thünen Institute of Sea Fisheries", https://www.thuenen.de/en/sf/fields-of-activity/marine-ecosystems/).

Biodiversity and food webs in the southern North Sea have changed due to declining fishing intensity and reduced nutrient loads of the major inflowing rivers. In order to understand the underlying important processes in fish communities, long-term data from different monitoring programmes will be analysed on different spatial scales. This will also involve developing a statistical analysis approach that integrates information from surveys conducted using different trapping methods. The aim of the modelling is to improve our understanding of the interdependencies and possible cause-effect relationships between shifts in environmental conditions or prey spectra and changes in the biodiversity of the fish fauna. This should increase the ability to predict ecological effects in fish communities under alternative future perspectives.

The selection and application of a suitable modelling approach for the analysis of spatio-temporal patterns in the biodiversity of fish communities in connection with changes in the marine environment is particularly suitable for a doctoral thesis.

Tasks:

• Extension of databases of functional properties (biological "traits") for North Sea fish, especially traits relevant to trophic interactions or sensitivity to environmental parameters
• Development of an analysis methodology for the integration and linked analysis of information from time series of methodically different fisheries surveys
• Biodiversity analyses of long-term data sets of bottom fish communities from research surveys on different spatial scales; consideration of static and dynamic components of biodiversity
• Application of a suitable modelling approach for spatio-temporal changes in biodiversity
• Preparation of scientific publications on the above mentioned topics and communication of the results

Required qualifications:

• University degree (German diploma/master's degree) in biological oceanography, marine biology, fisheries biology, environmental sciences or comparable disciplines
• Very good knowledge of the programming language R
• Readiness for intensive training in statistical methods required; sound knowledge of statistics is advantageous
• Experience in structuring and analysis of larger data sets
• Very good knowledge of English. Good knowledge of German is an advantage; otherwise, the willingness to learn German is required
• Interest in interdisciplinary research; strong communication skills
• Proven ability to publish in the scientific literature

We offer you the integration into a dynamic, interdisciplinary research institute and proximity to current policy-relevant discussions, which are also of great interest to the public. You will be given a high degree of personal freedom and can take advantage of a wide range of further training opportunities. We offer a family-friendly working environment.

The employment relationship is governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD). The payment of the remuneration is made when the personal and collective bargaining requirements are fulfilled according to pay category 13 TVöD.

The Thünen Institute promotes the professional equality of women and men and therefore welcomes expressly encourages applications from women.

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

For subject-related inquiries, please contact Dr. Anne Sell (anne.sell@thuenen.de).

Written applications with tabular curriculum vitae, description of education and professional experience, career history and copies of certificates, if possible in one PDF file, are requested by 12.09.2020 under the keyword "2020-164-SF" to

sf-bewerbungen@thuenen.de

Thuenen Institute of Sea Fisheries

Secretariat

Herwigstr. 31, 27572 Bremerhaven

Information pursuant to Article 13 DSGVO on the collection of personal data can be found at www.thuenen.de/datenschutzhinweis-bewerbungen.

pdf document:

download this vacancy