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Ref. #11-26012 Postdoc in vegetation and ecosystem modelling (m/f/d)

Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research (SGN), headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, is seeking to fill the following position at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F), starting as soon as possible:

 

Postdoc in vegetation and ecosystem modelling (m/f/d)

(Full time / part time options available)

 

Location:                  Frankfurt am Main
Employment scope:  Full-time; part time options are available
Type of contract:      contract for 3+3 years, to be started as soon as possible
Remuneration:         Collective agreement of the state Hesse (TV-H) / E13

Senckenberg is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of Biodiversity and Earth System Research, with eight research institutes and three natural history museums across Germany and scientists from over 40 nations. Our headquarter is located in the thriving commercial metropolis of Frankfurt in the heart of Germany, which also hosts one of our most famous facilities, the Senckenberg Natural History Museum. The mission of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre is to study the complex interactions between biodiversity and climate change.

The postdoc will be part of the East African Mountain social ecological dynamics ERC Synergy project (AFRI-CAN; ERC-Portal). We aim to fundamentally advance our understanding of social-ecological systems in East-African mountains. To achieve this, we combine disciplines ranging from ecology and geography to economy and archeology, represented by large team of researchers and stakeholders from the EU and Eastern Africa. The postdoc here has the central role for adapting and developing vegetation and biodiversity models for the project, building upon the framework of the LPJ-GUESS Dynamic Global Vegetation Model. The models should be tested against data from the present and past, going back to 6000 years before today, and they should be enhanced to predict indicators of Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs). Together with social scientists in the team and local stakeholders, we will also develop potential future scenarios that should support adaptation to climate change and sustainable development.

Your tasks

• Adapt the LPJ-GUESS Model to the study region (testing, parameter adjustments, implementing main land uses)

• Combine the model with data on past dynamics (e.g. pollen and charcoal data, climate change proxies and climate models, archeology) to improve our understanding of these dynamics (e.g. ecosystem resilience to climate change and anthropogenic use)

• Derive indicators for the supply of NCPs and biodiversity from the model results

• Develop further modelling approaches to simulate the dynamics of particular species and ecosystem services (e.g. empirical models for crop yields)

• Closely collaborate with social scientists and stakeholders to develop novel ways to simulate social ecological systems from the past to the future, with a focus on the supply and demand of NCPs.

• Publish results in scientific journals of high standards

• Contribute to outreach activities and activities at the science-policy interface

Your profile

• PhD degree in Ecology, Geography, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Physics or a related field

• Strong interest in vegetation and ecosystems dynamics, biodiversity and climate change and human-nature interactions, and in interdisciplinary collaboration

• Very good skills in data analysis and programming, ideally also in C or C++ (the language of the LPJ-GUESS model)

• Documented ability to publish in high/quality scientific journals

• Very good communication skills in English

We offer

  • access to an international network of scientists, policymakers and research organizations
  • an attractive job within the inspired and dynamic working environment of an internationally recognized research institution
  • flexible working hours – mobile working options – employee ID card with free admission to Senckenberg museums – annual special payment – collectively agreed vacation entitlement  – company pension plan

Senckenberg is committed to diversity. We benefit from the different expertise, perspectives and personalities of our staff and welcome every application from qualified candidates, irrespective of age, gender, ethnic or cultural origin, religion and ideology, sexual orientation and identity or disability. Applicants with a severe disability will be given special consideration in case of equal suitability. Senckenberg actively supports the compatibility of work and family and places great emphasis on an equal and inclusive work culture.

How to apply?

Please upload your application (a statement of interest outlining relevant expertise and motivation, a CV including a complete publication list and details about your programming and modelling experience, Scan copy of academic certificates and credentials, contact details for two potential references) electronically (as a single PDF) on our website stating the reference #11-26012 by 15th of May 2026.

Contact

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung
Senckenberganlage 25
60325 Frankfurt am Main

For specific questions about this role, please contact Prof. Dr. Thomas Hickler at thomas.hickler@senckenberg.de

For data protection information on the processing of personal data as part of the application and selection process, please refer to the privacy policy on our homepage at https://www.senckenberg.de/en/imprint/

Please visit our website at www.senckenberg.de for further information about the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.