OFERTA DE EMPLEO: 3-year Post-Doc position (100% TV-L E13) at Freie Universität Berlin Modelling ecosystem dynamics, management and benefits in German grasslands

Are you interested in evaluating the pros an cons of different modelling approaches to assess ecosystem
functions and services in grasslands? Would you like to quantify the uncertainties that arise from
different approaches and to integrate your findings into economic decision models of natural capital
values? And would you like to work in an inter- and transdisciplinary team? Then, we might have the
right position for you!
The new BMBF-funded project ValuGaps responds to the need for comprehensive values of natural
capital and biodiversity for societal decision-making. Our aim is to quantify information gaps and
uncertainties and to find out how to scale, transfer, and bridge different types of values. For our
contribution to the project we are looking for a postdoc, who is interested the functioning of grasslands
and the evaluation of ecosystem services using different quantitative methods, such as data-driven
approaches and bio-physical modelling.
You would be part of our Theoretical Ecology group at FU Berlin. In our group, we typically use processbased simulation models at different spatial scales to understand the dynamics and biodiversity of
ecosystems. The aim is to improve our understanding of ecosystems and to assess potential impacts of
global change on biodiversity and ecosystem functions. For this project, you would closely collaborate
with our project partners from different research institutions, but also from Federal Agencies.
Your tasks
• Comparison of different methodological approaches to assess ecosystem services and their
uncertainties
• Nation-wide quantification of ecosystem services (including their resilience to disturbance and
their uncertainties) of grasslands in Germany using different approaches
• Integration of the findings into economic models (with partners from ecological economics)
• Definition of management scenarios jointly with project partners and stakeholders
• Evaluation, interpretation and publication of research results
• Establishment of and participation in inter- and transdisciplinary scientific collaborations
• Presentation of project results and participation in project reports
• (Co-)Supervision of Bachelor and Master theses within the project
Your profile
• PhD in biology, geo-ecology, system science or a related field
• Focus of your past and on-going research on vegetation or ecosystem modelling or on advanced
statistical modelling of habitats
• Strong skills in statistical analyses of data and/or simulation results, preferably in R
• Strong publication record on topics related to vegetation ecology or ecosystem
functions/services
• Interest in close inter- and transdisciplinary cooperation within ValuGaps
For further information, please contact Britta Tietjen (britta.tietjen@fu-berlin.de). The position will start
as soon as possible with a deadline for applications on the 09.11.2021 (please also check the official
German job announcement). Payment is according to the German public tariff (100% TV-L E13).
Applications should be submitted via email, and preferably as single pdf-file to Prof. Dr. Britta Tietjen,
Theoretical Ecology, Freie Universität Berlin: sandra.kries@fu-berlin.de) with the identifier
21221100/ValuGaps2021. Applications should include a letter of motivation (1 page) and a summary of
your past research experience in relation to the position (1 page), a CV, contact details of two references,
transcripts or degree certificates including grades and proofs of special qualifications. Freie Universität
Berlin is an equal opportunity employer and specifically encourages female candidates to apply.
Disabled persons will be preferred in case of equal qualification.