Justus Liebig University Giessen

Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 26,500 students and 5,700 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories – your own and those of our university.

Support us from 01.04.2025 in part-time (65 %) as a

Doctoral student (m/f/d) in the field of Tropical Stream Ecology

The position is part of the externally funded DFG Research Unit 5064 “The role of nature for human well-being in the Kilimanjaro Social-Ecological System (Kili-SES)” and is to be filled on a fixed-term basis in accordance with § 2 WissZeitVG and § 72 HessHG with the opportunity for own academic qualification at the Chair of Land Use Systems with focus on Agroforestry, Department of Landscape Ecology and Resources Management at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management. The salary is in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV-H).

As long as the maximum permissible duration of a fixed-term contract is not exceeded, you will be employed for a period of 42 months.

Kili-SES, which consists of seven sub-projects, is a cooperation between German and Tanzanian research institutions. It aims to investigate the interactions and the interdependencies between people and nature at Mount-Kilimanjaro under land-use, climate and governance change. You will be part of the team that aims to improve our understanding of interactions between biodiversity, land use, climate and the regulation of water-related Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP). You will focus on relationship between water quality, aquatic biodiversity and riparian forests.

Your tasks at a glance

• Organisation and implementation of field campaigns for the collection of data on water quality and aquatic ecology on the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania
• Laboratory analysis and determination of macroinvertebrates at our partner institution Nelson Mandela – African Institution of Science and Technology, Arusha (Tanzania)
• Support maintenance of the hydrological monitoring network
• Data management and analysis
• GIS-based spatial analysis and statistical modelling
• Publication and presentation of project results in peer-reviewed international journals, at conferences and to the public
• Close collaboration with other scientists in the (sub-)project

The provision of academic services (including the processing of a research project financed by third party funds on a temporary basis) also serves the purpose of academic qualification.

Your qualifications and competences

• Completed scientific university degree (Master) in ecology, environmental sciences, agricultural sciences, geosciences, biology or a related degree programme
• Creativity and interest in developing and implementing your own scientific approaches
• Knowledge of aquatic ecology, hydrology, statistical and spatial analysis (R, Python, GIS)
• Technical and analytical skills in field experiments and in the laboratory
• Ability to organise work processes
• Willingness to work in the field for extended periods in Tanzania, also under challenging tropical conditions
• Ability to work in a team, and good communication skills
• A very good command of written and spoken English
• Willingness to collaborate in an interdisciplinary environment and interest in intercultural exchange

Our offer to you

• A varied job with flexible working hours
• Free use of local public transport (LandesTicket Hessen)
• More than 100 training seminars, workshops and e-learning opportunities per year for personal development, as well as a wide range of health and sports activities
• Remuneration according to TV-H, company pension scheme, child allowance and special payments
• Good compatibility of family and career (certificate “audit familiengerechte hochschule”)

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Suzanne Jacobs by phone (+49 (0)641-99 37375) or by e-mail (suzanne.r.jacobs@zeu.uni-giessen.de).

JLU aims to employ more women in academic research. We therefore particularly encourage female candidates to apply. JLU is regarded as a family-friendly university. Applicants with children are very welcome. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.

Apply via our online form by February 14th, 2025, indicating reference number 115/09. We look forward to receiving your application.