Tenure Track Position for a Scientist or Working Group Leader on "Soil Erosion & Landscape Function

The mission of the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) as a nationally and internationally active research institute is to deliver solutions for an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agriculture - together with society. ZALF is a member of the Leibniz Association and is located in Müncheberg (approx. 35 minutes by regional train from Berlin-Lichtenberg). It also maintains a research station with further locations in Dedelow and Paulinenaue.

The ZALF Research Area Landscape Functioning investigates the biogeochemical (C, N, Si) cycles in agricultural landscapes and its main biological actors plants and microorganisms. This includes the interactions between land and atmosphere, e.g. trace gas fluxes and dust emissions as well as their relevance for agricultural production. Lateral transport processes, such as soil erosion are of particular interest, as these contribute considerably to the formation of spatially differentiated biogeochemical process domains in agricultural landscapes.

Within this Research Area, we are pleased to announce a

Tenure Track Position for a Scientist or Working Group Leader on Soil Erosion & Landscape Functioning (m/f/d) [Reference N° T05-2021]

Call description:

With its Tenure Track System, ZALF aims to recruit excellent scientists with essential expertise by providing a guaranteed transitioning to a permanent contract subject to successful evaluation. This Classic Tenure Track Call invites applications with a focus on soil erosion in agricultural landscapes. The successful candidate will perform experimental research on soil erosion by tillage, as well as wind and/or water.

Tasks and qualifications:

The successful candidate will

• establish new landscape-scale experiments on soil erosion on water, tillage & wind erosion
• develop new methods to hindcast decadal-scale erosion rates in agricultural landscapes as a function of climate, land use and management (modelling & empirical approaches, incl. fallout radionuclides)
• closely interact with other working groups at ZALF for a comprehensive understanding of soil erosion feedbacks on biogeochemical cycles incl. soil biota , soil-atmosphere interactions and crop production
• participate in and advance ZALF's landscape experiments (e.g. landscape laboratory AgroScapeLab Quillow), and establish an international network on impacts of soil erosion on biogeochemical cycles

The call is addressed to dynamic and highly motivated researchers with a PhD and/or postdoc research experience in soil science, geomorphology, geography or agricultural sciences, as well as sound experience in experimental soil erosion research. Candidates must have demonstrated their capacity to independently carry out research, including an excellent publication record, successfully acquired competitive third-party funding, and visibility in their respective field of research. Candidates at the stage of a Head of Working Group are expected to actively participate in the collegial leadership of the Research Area, using their excellent communication and teamwork skills, and have profound experience in leading and managing a research group. The position will be part of the new group working group Soil Erosion & Landscape Functioning.

We offer:

Depending on his/her background and career stage, the successful candidate will either receive a Regular Tenure Track position (2 x 2-3 years) or a Fast Tenure Track position (1 x 2-3 years), with progress to the subsequent phase / to a permanent position subject to successful evaluation.

Salary will follow the guidelines for public employees according to the German TV-L (E13 scientist, E14 working group leader; incl. special annual payment) depending on the individual career stage and personal qualification for working group leadership.

Tenure contracts are generally offered as full-time contracts, with part-time option to allow for the reconciliation of family and career. Candidates can expect to work in an interdisciplinary, international and open-minded working environment in a dynamic research institution and as part of highly motivated team (scientist, technician, PhDs). The working place is in Müncheberg near Berlin, Germany. The successful candidate will be offered individual options for career support such as a mentoring tandem, courses and trainings as well as variable options to access scientific resources.

ZALF is an equal opportunities employer (audit berufundfamilie® certificate) and specifically encourages female scientists to apply. Applications of disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be favoured.

Application and candidate selection

Application documents must follow the specifications given in the respective guideline available at the ZALF website ( www.zalf.de/en/karriere/tenure-track ) and include two standardized letters of recommendation of scientists who are familiar with your research accomplishments and academic credentials (template available at https://www.zalf.de/de/karriere/tenure-track/Documents/ZALF_TenureTrack_App4_Reference_Letter.docx ).

Candidate selection is based on scientific achievements, strategic aspects, and personal suitability. Details on criteria, minimum requirements and evaluation processes can be obtained from the ZALF Tenure Track System guideline, which is an official annex to this call: https://www.zalf.de/de/karriere/tenure-track/Documents/ZALF-Tenure_Track_System_Guideline.pdf

Please send your application as a single PDF file to tenuretrack@zalf.de , stating the reference number T05-2021 indicating interest in a position either as scientist or working group leader. The deadline for applications is 29. November 2021.

If you have any questions regarding the research profile of this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Michael Sommer (Phone +49(0)33432/82-282; sommer@zalf.de ) or Prof. Dr. Steffen Kolb (Phone +49(0)33432/82-326; kolb@zalf.de ). For questions regarding the Tenure Track System, please contact Christiane Wolf Suzuki (Phone +49(0)33432/82-4052; christiane.wolf-suzuki@zalf.de ).

For cost reasons, your application documents or extensive publications can only be returned if an adequately stamped envelope is attached.

If you apply, we collect and process your personal data in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the EU GDPR only for the processing of your application and for purposes that result from possible future employment with the ZALF. Your data will be deleted after six months. You can find further information at: www.zalf.de/en/ueber_uns/Pages/Datenschutzerklaerung.aspx