The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ is a research institution within the Helmholtz Association. It provides scientific contributions to the safeguarding of the natural basis of life and of human development potentialities for current and future generations under the challenges of global and climate change. In this way the UFZ contributes towards a sustainable development.

The Department of Ecological Modelling (OESA) is inviting applications for a PhD position in ecological-economic modelling (f/m) to commence at the earliest possible date. The work will be embedded in a research project aiming to model the influence of various policy instruments and markets on land use decisions and to assess the resulting regional land use patterns in terms of their impacts on crop yield, biodiversity, carbon balance, and costs (using input from other models). Special focus will be on instruments governing land use decisions in connection with biomass production for energy. Final goal will be to identify an appropriate policy mix for mitigating land use conflicts and harmonizing the demand for energy and food with other societal goals such as climate protection, biodiversity conservation and regional value addition.

Requirements:

• University degree (Diploma, MSc, or equivalent) in applied systems sciences, economics, biology, physics, or a related discipline;
• Experience with spatial dynamic modelling in ecology or regional economics, ideally ecologicaleconomic or agent-based modelling;
• Experience with simulation-based approaches and a modern programming language (e.g. Delphi, C++ Builder, Java) are required; good mathematical skills are beneficial;
• Interest in interdisciplinary work on ecological-economic aspects of land use change;
• Good skills in English (speaking and writing);

Conditions:

The candidate will be recruited for three years under employment contract with the UFZ. Salary will be according to the appropriate civil service level (TVöD). Working place is Leipzig. The candidate will have access to the programme of the Helmholtz Interdisciplinary GRADuate School for Environmental Research HIGRADE (www.higrade.ufz.de). The graduating faculty will be selected in dependence of the candidate’s disciplinary background.

The UFZ is an equal opportunity employer. Women are explicitly encouraged to apply for increase their share in science and research. Physically handicapped persons will be favoured if they are equally qualified.

For more detailed information, please, contact:

• PD Dr. Karin Frank (ecology & modelling), Phone: +49/341/2351279; Email: karin.frank@ufz.de
• Prof Dr. Erik Gawel (economics), Phone: +49/ 341/2351940; Email: erik.gawel@ufz.de

Applications are taken until the position is filled. Please send your complete application documents until 30.09.2009 under the code digit 61/2009 to the personnel department, P.O. Box 500136, D-04301 Leipzig, Germany or by E-Mail to application@ufz.de.

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