Research Assistance (m/f/d) with focus on Salt Marsh Dynamics

 

Nestled in a modern city surrounded by nature and with an exceptional standard of living, Leibniz University Hannover offers excellent working conditions in a vibrant scientific community.

Founded in 1916, the Research Centre for Geotechnic and Hydraulic Engineering of the former Technische Hochschule Hannover and today's Leibniz University Hannover is recognised nationally and internationally as an established address for scientific tasks in the fields of hydraulics, coastal protection, flood and risk management, environmental impacts of hydraulic engineering measures, tidal hydraulic engineering, coastal zone management, offshore technology and risk and vulnerability research in coastal zones. Since summer 2016, the institute has been known as the Ludwig Franzius Institute of Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering (LuFI).

The Ludwig Franzius Institute of Hydraulic, Estuarine and Coastal Engineering welcomes applications for the following position starting at the earliest possible date: Research Assistance (m/f/d) with focus on Salt Marsh Dynamics (salary scale 13 TV-L, 100 %)

The position is limited until 31 May 2028.

Your role

Salt marshes are important components of the Wadden Sea World Heritage and their conservation and ecological enhancement is essential to ensure the long-term benefits of their ecosystem services. This results in the need to design and manage coastal areas in such a way that they are resilient to the ongoing effects of the triple ecological crisis (climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental pollution). Assuming that climate change and pollution exacerbate biodiversity loss and vice versa, a collaborative project will provide the basis for investigating the extent to which the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the foreshore can be an integral part of a comprehensive solution strategy for the current triple crisis.

The objective is to quantify the resilience and adaptability of salt marsh plant communities of different diversity, successional stages and management strategies. The focus is on investigating the stability limits of the hydrodynamic resilience of the different salt marsh communities through laboratory measurements. The laboratory experiments will be supplemented by field work to characterise the individual salt marsh communities. The findings will then be used to develop management approaches aimed at promoting biodiversity through the diversity of succession stages and natural processes, ensuring sustainable coastal management and minimising human intervention.

The general approach, the individual field campaigns and experimental set-ups in the laboratory as well as the development of the resulting recommendations for sustainable foreshore management are to be developed in close cooperation with the project partners. Measurement methods and project results are to be discussed transdisciplinary with the project partners and stakeholders, integrated into the living lab process within the research project, scientifically published and presented at international conferences. Furthermore, the administrative coordination of the research project is part of the task, as well as to establish a comprehensive network with other projects in the Wadden Sea region.

Who are we looking for?

The prerequisite for employment is a university degree in civil engineering (specialising in coastal engineering), coastal geography, geoecology, environmental sciences, hydro(geo)logy or a related discipline directly related to hydrodynamics. A successfully completed doctorate is desirable, but not mandatory. In addition, the applicant should have excellent communication skills to work in a highly collaborative and international environment, as well as a very good command of written and spoken German and English. Good knowledge of MatLab, Python or comparable programming languages and experience in dealing with statistical analysis of large data sets is required. Experience with field or laboratory work is an advantage. Willingness to travel for several days at national and international level in the course of measurement campaigns is expected.

Equal opportunities and diversity are core values at Leibniz University Hannover. Our goal is to tap into individual potential and open up possibilities. We therefore welcome applications from anyone interested in the position, irrespective of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion or ideology, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

We strive towards a balanced and diverse workforce and a reduction in under-representation in accordance with the Lower Saxony Equal Rights Act (Niedersächsisches Gleichberechtigungsgesetz – NGG). We therefore particularly encourage applications for the above-mentioned position from women. Preference will be given to equally-qualified candidates with disabilities.

Why join us?

The outstanding infrastructure of the LuFI provides the framework for the best research conditions. This includes globally unique experimental facilities (wave flume, wave basins, recirculating flume etc.), which make it possible to investigate highly complex tasks in coastal research.

With more than 5000 employees, Leibniz University Hannover is one of the largest and most attractive employers in the Hannover region. We offer a vibrant interdisciplinary and international working environment, and promote personal and professional development ranging from subject-related skills to leadership and languages.

As a family-friendly university, working hours can be organised according to various flexible models. Part-time employment as well as remote work (mobile work, work from home) can therefore be arranged upon request. We support employees with balancing work and family life, through services such as back-up childcare, childcare during school holidays, and parent-child offices, as well as providing individual advice regarding family responsibilities and caring for dependants.

To promote health and well-being among employees, we offer an extensive sports programme with over 100 different sports, as well as a fitness centre with a sauna and climbing space. Health management measures, such as courses on stress management, good nutrition and relaxation, aim to ensure a healthy workplace.

 

Additional information

For further information, please contact PhD Maike Paul (phone: +49 511 762-2584, email: paul@lufi.uni-hannover.de) or Dr. Dorothea Bunzel (phone: +49 511 762-3737, email: bunzel@lufi.uni-hannover.de).

Please submit your application with supporting documents (cover letter, motivation letter, CV, certificates, description of relevant research activities and experiences as well as references) by 2 July 2024 stating the keyword: "SALT_06/2024" as one PDF-document to