Research assistant (m/f/d), EG 13 TV-H - in the field of soil science

Part-time with 65% of the regular working hours of a full-time employee. The position is initially limited to 3 years (§ 2 para. 2 WissZeitVG).

FOR2432 is an interdisciplinary DFG research group that investigates various dimensions of socio-ecological systems. The focus of interest is on processes of change in agriculture, ecology, economy and society caused by the rapid urbanization of peri-urban areas. This is being investigated in close cooperation with our Indian partners using the example of Bangalore, an up-and-coming megacity in southern India. The position advertised here is part of this project and deals with the "Effects of soil and land management on the water cycle in the soil and watershed". The position offers the possibility of a PhD and cannot be shared by more than one person. The main place of work is Witzenhausen, but data collection requires annual stays of several months in Bangalore/India. Tropical suitability and the willingness to spend time abroad are therefore mandatory.

Tasks:

• Monitoring and maintenance of a soil monitoring system (soil water and temperature) at a factorial field experiment at the experimental station of the University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore and preparation of monitoring data in databases for modeling soil water dynamics at the field scale.
• Parameterization, calibration and validation of a soil water balance model (HYDRUS-1D) to simulate water dynamics at the field scale.
• Recording and evaluation of water balance parameters and physical soil properties in field experiments and on farms in the rural-urban transition area in Bangalore for a better understanding of system dynamics under intensification.
• Participation in project related seminars and workshops and publication/presentation of own results in international journals/at international conferences.

Prerequisites:

• Completed scientific university degree (MSc or diploma) in agricultural sciences, soil science, geoecology or related fields.
• Experience with pedological/physical analysis methods and statistical/geostatistical data analysis
• Knowledge of transport processes in soils and agroecosystems.
• Experience in modeling transport processes in soils is an advantage.  
• Very good English language skills (to be proven by internet-based TOEFL with at least 80 points or equivalent language certificate)
• Ability and willingness to work in a highly motivated, international and intercultural team in India and Germany

If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Stephan Peth, phone: 05542-981594, e-mail: peth[at]uni-kassel[dot]de.

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In the interests of equal opportunities, the University of Kassel endeavors to offer women and men the same development opportunities and to counteract existing disadvantages. The aim is to significantly increase the proportion of women in research and teaching. Qualified women are therefore expressly encouraged to apply. Severely disabled applicants with equal aptitude and qualifications will be given preference. Full-time positions are generally divisible. Please only send us copies of your application documents (no folders), as these cannot be returned after the selection process has been completed; they will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations. Applications with informative documents should be sent to the President of the University of Kassel, 34109 Kassel or bewerbungen[at]uni-kassel[dot]de, stating the reference number in the subject line, also in electronic form.