Sorry for crossposting.


The Department Computational Hydrosystems invites applications for a

PhD position (f/m)

to work on the interface between soil, hydrology, vegetation and the  
atmosphere within the framework of the Helmholtz Climate Initiative.  
The UFZ contribution to the initiative aims at developing land surface  
process models and parameterizations to improve regional (climate)  
models.

Background
The terrestrial biosphere is one of the major drivers of inter-annual  
variability in regional climate models. But descriptions of the land  
surface are rather simple in the models. However, complex descriptions  
of the soil-vegetation-atmosphere exchanges are not suitable for  
climate models, yet.

Objectives
In collaboration within the Climate Initiative, the successful  
candidate will work firstly on the improvement of soil-vegetation- 
atmosphere transfer (SVAT) models and secondly on the reduction of  
SVAT models to formulations suitable for larger-scale models. This  
will integrate a variety of process modules existing in the department  
such as a physically based soil-root-shoot water flow model or a meso- 
scale hydrological model.

Requirements
We seek a highly motivated creative person with a strong interest in  
interdisciplinary research and capability to work with a larger  
research group. Candidates should have a master (Diplom or equivalent)  
in the area of natural sciences, e.g. Physics, Hydrology or Biology.  
They should have very good programming skills and a good knowledge of  
English. We provide excellent supervision in a young dynamic team.

The place of work is Leipzig, Germany. Salary will be according to the  
appropriate civil service level TVÖD (E 13/2). Physically handicapped  
persons will be favoured if they are equally qualified. Women are  
explicitly encouraged to apply in order to increase their share in  
science and research.

Recruitment advertising of the UFZ take place in the internet under: www.ufz.de
For further information:
Dr. Matthias Cuntz, Tel.: +49 (0)341 235 1877, e-mail: [log in to unmask] 
  or
Prof. Dr. Sabine Attinger, +49 (0)341 235 1250, e-mail: [log in to unmask]