Postdoc Position (m/f) in Coastal Ecosystem Modelling - code no. 2014/KS 3 : Geesthacht, Germany

Area of research:

Scientific / postdoctoral posts

Starting date:

28.11.2014

Job description:

Marine and coastal ecosystems display an intriguing variability. Especially in shallow areas of shelf seas the strong coupling between pelagic and benthic dynamics generates multi-scale effects on biogeochemistry and ecology, which challenges our understanding of relevant processes and system feed-backs. The benthic-pelagic interface marks a bottleneck in model-based approaches to relevant questions such as on greenhouse gas emissions, impacts of new offshore structures, or coastal water quality. The objective of the position is to hindcast, and thereby analyze, the multi-scale, long-term ecosystem variability in the southern North Sea, with focus on the benthic-pelagic interface.

The successful candidate will integrate existing monitoring data together with high resolution forcing fields (COSYNA, COASTDAT) and maps for benthic geo-ecological variables. She/he will use and further develop a trait-based, adaptive model for benthic-pelagic ecosystems. The model will be embedded into the novel framework ?Modular System for Shelves and Coasts? (MOSSCO), which integrates components across all major coastal Earth-system compartments. The successful candidate will study key mechanisms at coastal interfaces and will apply the gathered knowledge to improve long-term simulations of coastal-shelf ecosystems.

We seek a candidate with a proven expertise in numerical modelling, preferably in aquatic ecology or biogeochemistry. Profound programming and strong writing skills are desired. Applicants with a PhD in oceanography, environmental sciences, or related disciplines in natural sciences or engineering, are particularly encouraged to apply.

The department of Ecosystem Modelling at the Institute for Coastal Research hosts an interdisciplinary and highly motivated group of research scientists

www.hzg.de/institutes_platforms/coastal_research/system_analysis/ecosystem_modelling/index.php.de

The group is involved in various national and international projects and is internationally leading in the development of both modular and trait-based models.