Research Associate (Head of a Junior Research Group in the field of peatland research) 26/Sa30

Organisation/Company University of Greifswald Department Human Resources Research Field Geography Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Application Deadline 22 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

At the University of Greifswald’s Institute of Geography and Geology in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, there is a job vacancy to be filled subject to the provision of funds. The position as a full-time:

Research Associate
(Head of a Junior Research Group in the field of peatland research)

is available from 1 January 2027 and is limited until 30 June 2031 . Payment will be made in accordance with pay grade E14 TV-L Wissenschaft. The position is suitable for part-time employment.

We are looking for highly motivated candidates for the model project on peatland research, which is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection. The new peatland research cluster combines the expertise of the University of Greifswald and the Greifswald Mire Centre e.V.

Peatlands play a crucial role in achieving the ambitious goals of the Federal Climate Protection Act, the Peatland Protection Strategy, and the Restoration Regulation. For this reason, there is a very high demand for research, particularly regarding rewetted peatlands. Both in-depth basic research and broad-based applied research are urgently needed. The same applies to the associated publicly accessible research infrastructure. The project results will be exemplary and transferable in both national and international contexts. The key focuses within the peatland research cluster are biodiversity and ecosystem services, water balance and water quality, as well as sustainable use/paludiculture.

The junior research group is focused on the water balance and water quality of peatlands and shall conduct corresponding research. A wide spectrum of professional profiles and methodological approaches is conceivable, both for the head of the junior research group and for the scientific orientation of the group. Possible focuses include, for example, environmental geophysics and geophysical exploration of peatlands, the study of landscape and peatland water budgets (e.g., evaporation processes), or the modelling of water flow and substance transport processes. Applications from related research fields are expressly welcome.

The junior research group consists of the group leader, two doctoral students (75% E13), and a technical assistant employed within the project. The two doctoral positions can be filled independently by the group leader and supervised in doctoral committees together with the PIs of the respective project part. Furthermore, the group will be provided with a start-up budget for equipment, investments, etc., as well as an additional budget for travel expenses. One goal for the group leader during the fixed-term employment is to independently develop their scientific profile with a view to becoming eligible for potential future appointment to a professorship.

The successful candidate will benefit from access to the infrastructure, laboratories, expertise, networks, and resources of the participating research groups and the entire institute, as well as the entire Greifswald Mire Centre (GMC). Close cooperation, including field and laboratory work, regular collegial exchange, and scientific support from these groups will further promote the establishment and development of the new research group.

The topic of water balance and water quality is to be expanded into a permanent focus of peatland research in Greifswald.

Responsibilities:

• Establishment, scientific management, and strategic further development of a third-party funded junior research group
• Development, planning, and implementation of an independent research program using and further developing existing infrastructure (e.g., Eddy Covariance measurement systems and WaterNodes, geophysical methods, hydrogeochemical laboratories) and incorporating strategic development potentials in peatland research
• Publication of research results in high-impact international peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences
• Supervision of doctoral projects and student qualification theses
• Establishment and maintenance of national and international collaborations
• Participation in academic self-governance

Employment requirements/Qualifications:

• Completed university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field, such as landscape ecology, geosciences, geoecology, (eco-)hydrology, or geography
• Completed PhD in a field relevant to peatland research
• Evidence of publications in international peer-reviewed journals that are appropriate for the career stage and relevant to the topic
• Very good knowledge of the English language
• Ability to work independently and interdisciplinarily with a hands-on mentality, team spirit, helpfulness, and reliability

Additional knowledge and skills that will be considered in the selection process are:

• Experience in the independent acquisition and implementation of third-party funded projects
• Experience in teaching and the supervision of student qualification theses
• Knowledge of the German language

The position is open to all persons, irrespective of gender. Severely disabled applicants with the same qualifications will be considered with preference.

Pursuant to § 83(8) Sentence 3, read in conjunction with § 83(1) Item 1 PersVG M-V, the Staff Council shall only be consulted on the appointment and determination of the pay grade for members of academic or artistic staff upon request. The request may be submitted in text form, via email, together with the application documents.

Unfortunately, the application costs will not be reimbursed by the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Please note that by submitting your application, you provide your consent pursuant to data protection law for our processing of your application data. Further information about the legal bases and the use of your data can be found here .

The application documents should include the following:

• Cover letter / letter of motivation, outlining the motivation for the application as well as the suitability for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including relevant knowledge, qualifications, as well as professional and scientific experience
• Lists of publications, research projects, third-party funding acquisitions, and other relevant scientific achievements
• Evidence of qualifications and graduation certificatesConcept paper outlining the ideas and plans for the design of the position, the establishment and development of the research project, as well as the creation and further development of the junior research group. The concept paper should provide an overview of the proposed research direction, the key scientific objectives, and the applicant's vision for the development of the group