Open PhD position in Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Ecosystem Services

Job offer ref. #11-17007

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is a member of the Leibniz Association and is based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. SGN conducts natural history research with almost 800 employees and research institutions in six federal states. Within SGN, the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) explores the interactions between biodiversity, climate, and society.

Senckenberg BiK-F invites applications for a

PhD position in “Socio-Cultural Dynamics of Ecosystem Services”

(50 %)

We seek a doctoral researcher (m/f) (PhD candidate) to work in an interdisciplinary team on a project which will investigate the social and cultural dynamics of ecosystem services. The project is a collaborative effort between natural and social scientists from the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F), Goethe University Frankfurt am Main (Institute for Sociology), ISOE –Institute for Social-Ecological Research Frankfurt am Main, and the large-scale and long-term German science foundation (DFG) funded Biodiversity Exploratories project. The PhD candidate will investigate the relationships between land-use, biodiversity and ecosystem services and how these are altered by the perceptions and use of different stakeholder groups within the Biodiversity Exploratories, Germany.

Your profile:

You hold a Master’s degree in sociology, or a related field
Strong quantitative and qualitative skills in social research, including interview and survey

methods are required

Research interest in interdisciplinary working environments
Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and German
Background in environmental sociology and thorough knowledge of the ecosystem services

framework, literature, and statistical programming skills (preferably R) are beneficial Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-H E 13, 50%). The position will be for 3 years. The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre supports equal opportunity of men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply. Equally qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference. The place of work is in Frankfurt am Main with attendance time at the Goethe University, Department of Social Sciences, as well as at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre BiK-F.

Please include the reference to this position (ref. #11-17007) in the subject line and include a cover letter describing your motivation to apply, a detailed CV, relevant credentials and certificates, and contact details of 2 potential referees.

Please submit your application before 5th March 2017 via e-mail as a single PDF file to:

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt am Main

E-Mail: recruiting [at] senckenberg [dot] de

For enquiries regarding the position please contact Prof. Dr. Birgit Blättel-Mink (b.blaettelmink@

soz.uni-frankfurt.de), or Dr. Marion Mehring (Mehring [at] isoe [dot] de).

Further information:

Biodiversity Exploratories: http://www.biodiversity-exploratories.de/1/home/

ISOE: http://www.isoe.de/en/home/

BiK-F: http://www.bik-f.de/root/index.php?page_id=57

Institute of Sociology: http://www.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/46130897/sociology