Doctoral candidate (PhD) (65%; d/f/m)

06.02.2024, Wissenschaftliches Personal

The research initiative “A-DUR” intends to develop interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary solutions to the current challenges faced by degraded floodplain forests near urban areas in Germany. Focusing on the "Floodplain Forests along the Middle Isar," (Naturwald Mittlere Isar) the project examines the impacts of altered site conditions, forestry practices, and recreational activities. It aims to derive recommendations for the revitalization and regeneration of these forests and identify their multifunctional potential for biodiversity, local recreation, and climate protection. This endeavor is collaborative, involving a mix of academic, governmental, and private sector partners, offering opportunities to PhD candidates to gain insights into various field of science and practice.
“A-DUR” is comprised of 5 social science and natural science sub-projects, next to governmental and non-governmental organizations. All stakeholders will work closely together.

What we offer:

• An innovative and lively working environment at the university and campus
• Access to modern facilities and infrastructure at a strong research department
• Scientific exchange, flexibility, independence and self-responsibility
• Extensive options of vocational training (meetings, workshops, conferences)
• A chance to receive your doctoral degree
• TV-L E13 (65%), initially limited to 3 years

Topic:
Climate impact, recreation and health
This subproject aims to deepen our understanding of the interaction between recreational forest visitors/users and the bioclimatic effect of the Naturwald Mittlere Isar region. Due to its structural and species variability, the riparian forest has a wide microclimatic range to which visitors are exposed, affecting their health and wellbeing. The subproject aims to identify and understand these factors and their interaction with diverse group of visitors, leading to a fine-scale bioclimatic model for the Naturwald Mittlere Isar region. In this subproject, we will collaborate with the professorship of didactics in sport and health of TUM.

Job description:
The successful candidate will record and analyze the forest structure-dependent climate and health services in the natural forest “riparian forests on the middle Isar”. This position includes the installation and maintenance of in situ bioclimatic measurements (e.g., weather stations, handheld sensors, UAS, pollen sampling) at permanent sites and within campaigns to characterize microclimatic conditions and to derive recreational effects. Campaigns with local peer groups (e.g., kindergarten, local sport clubs, outdoor enthusiasts, therefore German language is a mandatory requirement) will be performed together with TUM sport scientists in different seasons. The candidate will investigate linkages between forest structures and bioclimatic parameters as well as human centered bioclimatic information and physiological and psychological parameters of human recreation. These measurements serve as the basis to identify small-scale and bioclimatic parameters that contribute to the optimal recreational effect in the riparian forest ecosystem. Finally, all findings and measurements, as well as remotely sensed data, will be used to create a bioclimatic model for impact on, for example, recreationists, walkers, and athletes in the project region.

The candidate we are looking for ideally has:

• A solid background in biometeorology
• Passion for questions on forest and human health and human well-being and their interactions
• First experiences in biometeorological modeling or measurements and analysis of remote sensing products and implementing GIS
• Innovative thinking and problem-solving abilities to adapt methodologies and derive novel insights from complex data sets and setup of local scale biomet-model
• A commitment to contributing a detailed insight into forest climate on human recreation and health to the overall project
• Skills in communicating findings to both the scientific community and practice partners

Job requirements:

• Advanced degree in forestry, environmental science, geography, meteorology, or a related field
• Strong analytical skills, first hands-on on meteorological measurements, modeling experience
• Proficiency in software tools regarding meteorological modeling, GIS and remote sensing
• Ability to conduct fieldwork in forested environments all year long and willingness to acquire the license to fly drones
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team, together with different peer groups and under the guidance of project leads
• Programming skills in e.g., R, Python, and other programming languages
• Driving license level B
• German Level Skill B2

Starting date:
A.S.A.P. (part-time 65%, fixed-term for 3 years)

Interested?
Please send your application with: (1) a 1-page letter of interest including a short outline of career goals and research experience; (2) a detailed CV; and (3) contact information of two referees. Please send these documents in the form of one single pdf-file (ADUR_TP04_surname_forename_appldoc.pdf)
by Friday, 16.02.2024 to: Prof. Dr. Annette Menzel; [email protected]

Questions regarding project or position?
Please contact: Prof. Menzel or visit the webpages for more information on our research groups and the kind of work we do.

Application closing date:
Friday, 16.02.2024

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude and professional performance.

Data Protection Information:
When you apply for a position with the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are submitting personal information. With regard to personal information, please take note of the Datenschutzhinweise gemäß Art. 13 Datenschutz-Grundverordnung (DSGVO) zur Erhebung und Verarbeitung von personenbezogenen Daten im Rahmen Ihrer Bewerbung. (data protection information on collecting and processing personal data contained in your application in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have acknowledged the above data protection information of TUM.

Kontakt: Menzel; [email protected]