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]