PhD Position, Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (No.: 70, 2017)

The Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e.V. Müncheberg ZALF seeks to fill the following position as soon as possible:
PhD Position (m/f) [Reference No. 70/2017]
ZALF is a member of the Leibniz Association and, with its 350 employees, one of the largest research institutions in the Berlin-Brandenburg region. It is our mission to scientifically explain causal relationships in agricultural landscapes and to provide society with sound information for the sustainable use of agricultural landscapes through excellent research. ZALF strongly focusses on interdisciplinary collaboration.
Background
For our European FACCE ERA-GAS Project PEATWISE (http://www.eragas.eu/index.php/researchprojects/peatwise) we are looking for a skilled PhD candidate to complement our team. Pristine peatlands are carbon sinks storing approximately one third of the total global soil carbon pool. Drained peat soils, however, are known hotspots for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. EU countries are responsible for the second largest emissions from drained peatlands worldwide. The emission control is complex and uncertain, which hampers scientific guidance for sustainable policy development. There is a clear need to refine existing mitigation measures, develop new ones and test solutions at field scales. Based on a quantification of GHG emissions of different peatland-related climate mitigation measures, our team investigates the effects of these peatland use options on biodiversity and ecosystem services. These comprehensive effects will be compared to potential private costs of the peatland production systems within a cost-benefit analysis. Our focus will be on grassland management option under different ground water level (improved drainage measures). The cost-benefit analysis will be done in three different case studies in Europe and discussed with policymakers and land users to develop future peatland management strategies. PEATWISE case study countries include Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, and Sweden.
Your tasks  Quantification of ecosystem services for used grassland on peatland under different water level regimes and for paludiculture in selected project case studies;  Quantification of public and private costs of mitigation measures as basis of a cost-effectiveness analysis;  Organization and implementation of multi-stakeholder workshops;  High-quality scientific outputs in the form of journal publications and contribution to relevant high-level policy and practice reports.

Your profile  Master’s Degree or equivalent university degree in agriculture sciences, natural resource management or environmental sciences with a focus on impact assessment;  Knowledge of the ecosystem service concept and quantification methods including GIS;  Knowledge of different grassland management options desirable;  Strong organizational skills and personal responsibility;  Experience in presenting and publishing research findings desirable;  Fluency in spoken and written English is required; a good command of German is helpful. Moreover, the ability to work, communicate and interact in an international collaborative consortium and ability to liaise with a variety of stakeholders is essential.
We offer  High-level interdisciplinary research in a research centre close to Berlin;  Being part of a research group, which enjoys an excellent reputation within Germany as well as internationally;  Excellent links to national and international research networks;  Support and optimal training courses through Potsdam Graduate School (PoGS).
Your application should enclose  CV and Letter of motivation  Contact details of two potential referees For further information please contact Prof. Bettina Matzdorf (matzdorf [at] zalf [dot] de). Place of work is Müncheberg (close to Berlin). Salary will follow the guidelines for public employees according to the TV-L, depending on the personal situation up to the level of 13 TV-L. The position is foreseen as 65% of the regular weekly working time and max. fixed-term for 3 years. Staring date will be January 2018 Physically handicapped persons will be favoured if equally qualified. In order to increase the number of female employees, we ask interested and qualified women to apply for the position. Please refer to reference number 70/2017 in your application and send it by email (1 pdf document, 5MB max,) to: bewerbungen [at] zalf [dot] de, Frau Hamann, personnel office, Leibniz-Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e.V. Closing date for receiving applications is 20 December 2017.