Job description
A research post is offered at the Fisheries Research station of the Agricultural center for cattle, grassland, dairy, game and fisheries of Baden-Württemberg (LAZBW) in Langenargen, Germany. The project is limited until 31.12.2026.
Project background:
Predictions of climate change impacts—for instance on biodiversity, freshwater availability, or land use—are essential to inform and guide adaptation measures. However, currently available climate projections for the federal state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, suffer from rather low spatial resolution and are based on outdated climate models, or they rely on increasingly unrealistic assumptions about future climate trajectories. Climate change effects on streams and rivers are already alarming, but have up to now only been indirectly estimated.
Practical adaptation measures, by contrast, require high-resolution and realistic climate projections that account for the most recent observation periods and the high spatial heterogeneity within the federal state: which comprises mountainous areas as well as lowland river plains.
Project objectives:
The project aims to bridge the gap between currently available climate projections and the need for high-resolution, continuously updated climate projections that are required to improve predictions of climate change effects on local biodiversity, land use, and water availability, and to guide practical adaptation measures.
Main tasks include:
· reviewing available climate projections
· review and evaluation of methods for downscaling climate data
· implementation of a workflow to derive high-resolution climate projections for the federal state of Baden-Württemberg
· hydrological modelling based on climate projections
· calculation of relevant parameters for fisheries and agriculture, such as bioclimatic variables, frequency of low-water events, drought indices and vegetation periods
· communication of project results (presentations, consulting of relevant stakeholders/authorities)
The project will conclude with a work report that critically evaluates the availability of data for climate adaptation measures and identifies relevant missing information.
Desired skills and experience
Expected qualifications:
· Master degree or equivalent in biology, ecology, climatology or a related subject with a focus on climate change effects on biological or hydrological systems
· PhD with an emphasis on climate change and ecological, numeric modeling, ideally focused on aquatic systems and/or regional downscaling
· Five-years work experience in applied ecology or climate research or related field
· Several publications as a first author in Q1 journals (SCImago Journal Ranking)
· Excellent mathematical skills with a special regard to numerical modelling methods
· Excellent understanding of project relevant statistical methods
· High proficiency in the use of relevant software (GIS, R, JAGS, Nimble etc.)
· Basic understanding of the interplay between climate, the hydrological cycle and ecological niches
· Experience downscaling climate data is desirable
· Strong capacity for teamwork and the ability to closely collaborate with project partners (fisheries and agriculture administration, angling clubs, fishing associations)
· Excellent command of spoken and written English
· Knowledge of or the desire to learn German is an asset but not a requirement
About the employer
About the workplace:
The position will be located at the Fisheries Research Station in Langenargen, a town on the shores of Lake Constance. The town has full amenities and several larger cities nearby offer more access to shopping, cultural experiences, and travel hubs. The research station currently has a team of around 20 scientists and technical workers, including several postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. As a state research agency, efforts are focused on basic and applied research that can directly inform the conservation and management of fishery resources. The position also offers the possibility to cooperate with the University of Konstanz and other highly-respected research institutions.
Further information about recent research carried out at the institution, including a list of publications, can be found at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Alexander-Brinker
Salary:
Remuneration will be according to the public sector salary regulations for the state of Baden-Württemberg’s (TV-L), and depends upon personal experience and qualifications according to the TV-L 14 pay scale. Full benefits are included in accordance with the German public service system, such as 30 days annual vacation, health insurance, and inclusion in Germany’s state retirement system.
We look forward to receiving your application. Review of applications will begin on 30.04.2025. Please send applications (application letter, full academic CV, preferably: names of three reputations, one or two representative publications) via mail: bewerbungen@lazbw.bwl.de
In case you obtained a foreign vocational qualification, please provide a Certificate of Equivalence for your qualification if needed. Please refer to www.kmk.org/zab for further information.
For further information, you are welcome to contact: Alexander Brinker, PD Ph. D. (Fon: 0049 7543 9308324; E-Mail: Alexander.Brinker@lazbw.bwl.de)
Information on the collection of personal data from the data subject in accordance with Article 13 DS-GVO can be found on our homepage at https://lazbw.de/karriere.
Areas of Research
- Earth Geosciences
- Climate Modeling
- Hydrology
