The position is part of the DFG funded project “Global change impact on hydro-biogeochemical processes in tropical Kenyan catchments” and is limited until 31.07.2026 at the Chair of Landscape, Water and Biogeochemical Cycles, Institute for Landscape Ecology and Resources Management at the Faculty Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management. The salary is in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV-H).
Climate and land use change affect hydro-biogeochemical processes. For tropical East Africa, scientific knowledge on the impact of global change on these processes is limited. Since 2014, automated monitoring systems have been recording high-resolution discharge, nitrate (NO3), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and total suspended solids (TSS) in the Mau Forest project area (Kenya).
Your tasks at a glance
- You will use statistical methods (e.g., wavelets, hysteresis, hydrological signatures) to derive indicators to describe hydro-biogeochemical processes
- You will develop data-based models to simulate discharge, NO3, DOC and TSS using machine learning and/or deep learning methods (e.g., LSTM)
- You will use the hydro-biogeochemical indicators for model validation
- Taking into account spatial (land use) and temporal (climate time series) predictors, you will carry out projections of climate and land use change
- You will support the experimental hydro-biogeochemical field work in Kenya
- You will present project results at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publication
Your qualifications and competences
- Master’s degree or equivalent in natural sciences and PhD with knowledge in hydro-biogeochemistry, data science, statistical modelling and geographic information systems
- Strong programming experience (preferably Python or R)
- Willingness to travel to Kenya and support field work
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
- Motivation, curiosity for research and commitment to scientific excellence
- Enthusiasm for working in a multidisciplinary, collaborative and international environment
