The Chair of Geomorphology (Geosciences Division, University of Bayreuth) is offering a PhD opportunity in a third-party funded research project:
Project Assistant (PhD position) – 75% (m/f/d)
30 hours a week; fixed-term employment for the period of 36 months; envisaged starting date 01 April or at earliest convenience.
The employment is in the DFG-funded research project CLIMROCK (Characterizing Rockwall Weathering from Microclimate, Rock Moisture and Rockfall Acitvity) with the aim of graduating. In the CLIMROCK framework, two PhD students will work closely together to investigate rock weathering and associated rockfall across spatial scales, integrating rock temperatures, rock moisture and rock-mechanical parameters. The announced PhD position (supervision by Prof. Sass) will deal with rock moisture on the laboratory, rockwall, and mountain scale.
This involves:
- Measurements in the lab and in the field using electrical resistivity electrodes, microwave sensors and 2D-electrical resistivity tomography
- Simulating temperature, moisture and freeze-thaw cycles at rock samples in the lab
- Monitoring alpine limestone rockwalls of different aspect and elevation to derive spatial patterns of water infiltration and saturation levels in the rock
- Numerical modelling based on meteorological data which allows upscaling to the mountain scale
Expected qualifications of applicants:
- Above-average master degree in geography (focus on physical geography / geomorphology) or related geosciences (e.g. geology, geophysics)
- Skills in two or more of the following fields: Collection and evaluation of meteorological data, geophysical techniques, modelling tools, GIS applications, surface models; documented e.g. by a relevant master thesis
- Ability to work physically in high mountain environments
- Ability to work autonomously on scientific problems, intellectual curiosity and creativity, willingness for international and interdisciplinary co-operation
- Very good command of English
- Experience in scientific publishing and conference presentation is of advantage
Salary is according to the salary scheme TV-L13 (minimum salary of EUR 3.001,70 gross/month; may be higher due to previous employment periods).
Severely disabled persons are given preferential consideration if they are equally qualified. The University of Bayreuth aims to increase the proportion of women in teaching and research and is therefore particularly interested in applications from qualified female scientists.
Please send your application (in German or English) including a cover letter, CV, relevant documents and a 1-page summary of your master thesis, merged in one pdf file, to oliver.sass@uni-bayreuth.de. Application Deadline: 28 Feb 2020