📊 Experte (w/m/d) für Biodiversitätsdatenanalyse in Leipzig

Vacancy ID: 218/2024

Closing date: 22.11.2024

Friedrich Schiller University, a research-driven institution in the heart of Germany, offers a broad spectrum of subjects and focuses its research on Light—Life—Liberty. We maintain close ties with non-research entities, research firms, and cultural institutions. With approximately 17,000 students and over 10,000 employees, our University significantly shapes Jena as a cosmopolitan, forward-thinking city.

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig investigates biodiversity recording, evolution, changes, ecosystem function impacts, and long-term preservation. iDiv receives joint funding from the University of Leipzig, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ. Continued support will be provided by the federal states of Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Saxony post-DFG funding. More information about iDiv: www.idiv.de.

This position is within Prof. Aletta Bonn's research group, as part of the iDiv-funded 'sMon - Biodiversity Trends in Germany' project (https://www.idiv.de/en/smon), in collaboration with Prof. Helge Bruelheide, Prof. Florian Jansen, and Dr. Marten Winter. We are seeking a

Postdoctoral Researcher Quantitative Biodiversity Data Analysis

This is a full-time role (40 hours per week), starting as soon as possible, limited to 2 years, with a possible extension of up to 4 years. The employer is Friedrich Schiller University Jena, and the work location is iDiv in Leipzig.

This position focuses on analyzing Germany-wide biodiversity data from state authorities, natural history societies, museums, and citizen science projects, in cooperation with the NFDI4Biodiversity program and other related projects at iDiv and partner institutes.

Your responsibilities:

• Conduct scientific trend analyses of spatio-temporal dynamics of biodiversity patterns for selected taxa using heterogeneous data (e.g., citizen science data) and attribution to drivers
• Carry out scientific analyses of possibilities and limitations of data integration of structured and semi-structured/ opportunistic sampling records (Citizen Science)
• Evaluate the recording methods and databases for the conception of biodiversity monitoring programs
• Actively collaborate with authorities and natural history societies to jointly mobilize, harmonize, integrate, and analyze data
• Contribute to the visualization of analysis outputs
• Organize sMon workshops and liaise with data providers
• Create high-quality scientific outputs in the form of journal publications and contributions to relevant high-level policy and practice reports
• Support and coordinate the preparation of national and international third-party funding research proposals

Your profile

• PhD in biology, ecology or computational science or another relevant subject with a clear reference to biodiversity and with experience in modelling/programming, quantitative analysis, or spatial data management
• Experience in database management and scientific programming (R and/or Python)
• Particular strengths in quantitative, statistical biodiversity analyses
• Experience in writing scientific publications
• Experience in collaboration with natural history societies, state agencies, museums and taxon experts is desirable
• Experience with hierarchical Bayesian models and data integration modelling is desirable
• Experience in data visualization and development of R-Shiny applications is desirable
• High motivation and very good organizational skills, interest and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team and to liaise with a variety of stakeholders
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
• Flexible and independent way of working with a clear focus on science
• Challenged by the opportunity to develop a scientific research program connected to your own academic career

We offer: