Research scientist / PostDoc in radiative transfer modeling and ecosystem analysis

Your Job:

The monitoring of water, heat and carbon exchange between plants and the atmosphere provides important early warning information for agricultural management during extreme events, such as heatwaves. The AgroC crop growth model simulates gross primary productivity (GPP) and net ecosystem exchange (NEE) using gap-filled meteorological data, measured/reported plant specific parameters and soil characteristics. In an available coupled mode with SCOPE, AgroC can assess carbon and water related plant fluxes as well as sun-induced fluorescence. However, there is a potential to exploit remote sensing spectral data to full extent if AgroC is coupled properly to leaf and canopy radiative transfer models (RTM). This also enables AgroC to forward simulate optical spectra, including sun-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF). The approach not only facilitates the quantification water and carbon budgets, but also further assist in tracking the net radiation partitioning into soil evaporation, canopy transpiration and photosynthesis, which is highly relevant for the accurate representation in climate and crop models. In this framework are seeking for a PostDoc and a PhD Student, whereas the PostDoc will work on RTM, coupling the RTM to AgroC, and model inversion techniques and the PhD Student will work on crop parameter estimation using Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) observations and investigating the relationship between optical/thermal data and vegetation fluxes.

Your tasks as a Postdoc in detail:

• Implement an RTM scheme in AgroC model to develop a coupled system
  
• Simulate photosynthesis and optical spectra by the coupled system
  
• Investigate model inversion techniques to inform the coupled system by remote sensing
  
• Develop methods to calibrate relevant model parameters
  
• Contribute to an international research team, publish in international journals and present results at international conferences

Your Profile:

• University degree (Master) in either biology, geosciences, remote sensing, computer science, physics or applied mathematics and a PhD degree in a related field
  
• Experience in remote sensing and geoscientific simulation
  
• Knowledge in the areas of drone measurements, land surface processes, ecosystem services and numerical methods is an advantage
  
• Demonstrated programming skills with Python, R and/or Fortran
  
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an international, interdisciplinary team across institutes, very good communication and organizational skills
  
• Good publication record
  
• Very good command of the English language

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
  
• Vibrant international and interdisciplinary work environment on an attractive research campus, ideally situated between the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Aachen
  
• Full-time position with the option of slightly reduced working hours
  
• Attendance at national and international conferences and workshops
  
• Possibility for further scientific and technical training through international experts
  
• An exceptional research infrastructure
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

We offer you an exciting and varied role in an international and interdisciplinary working environment. The position is for a fixed term of 3 years, with the possibility of an extension. Salary and social benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) depending on the applicant’s qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to them.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.