The mission of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) as a nationally and internationally active research institute is to scientifically explain causal relationships in agricultural landscapes and to provide society with a knowledge base for the sustainable use of agricultural landscapes through excellent research. ZALF is a member of the Leibniz Association and is located in Müncheberg (approx. 35 minutes by regional train from Berlin Lichtenberg). It also maintains a research station with further locations in Dedelow and Paulinenaue.

The candidate is expected to work in a project of the International Wheat Yield Partnership (IWYP) on improving traits for increasing wheat grain yield together with partners from the University of Florida, INRA, CIMMYT and others. Particular emphasis of the research at ZALF is on the scaling up of promising traits from the plant/crop to the regional scale and on the quantification of the related uncertainty. In addition, the candidate will support modelling activities at ZALF in the field of climate change impact research with particular emphasis on abiotic stresses such as heat and drought considering options for management adaptation. We are offering a full-time postdoc research position for integrated crop modeling in the context of climate change and food security temporarily limited to 3 years at our location in Müncheberg beginning 1 March 2019.

The specific tasks include:

• Contribution to the analysis of promising traits for wheat across major wheat growing regions
• Quantification of the uncertainty of models and up-scaling for selected traits/combinations
• Coordination of multi-model ensemble point and gridded simulations with traits with future climate records
• Impact assessments of abiotic stresses such as heat and drought for different crops across Germany and Europe
• Analysis of adaptation options to heat and drought for different crops
• Contribution to the development of a modelling platform for integrated assessment

Your qualifications:

• PhD in Agronomy, Geo-ecology, Environmental Science or related area, with focus on simulation modelling and crop production/plant physiology
• Strong interest in spatial statistics
• Show a significant record of peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Very good command of spoken and written English

We offer:

• An interdisciplinary working environment to advance in scientific career according to the ZALF qualification support standards
• Flexible working hours
• A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere in a dynamic research institution
• Classification according to the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) 13 (including special annual payment)

Women are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications from severely disabled persons with equal qualifications are favored. It is generally possible to work in the position on a part-time basis. Please send your application preferably by e-mail (one PDF file, max. 5 MB) with the usual documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names of three references) stating the reference number 05-2019 until 28th January 2019 to:
[email protected].

For further information please contact Prof. Frank Ewert, e-mail: [email protected] or Dr. Heidi Webber ([email protected]).