Senior Research Associate (Akad. Rat/Rätin, salary grade: A 13)

The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with internationally competitive, interdisciplinary focus areas in research and teaching. The University has an opening in the field of agroecology starting on 01.08.2023 (later by agreement) for a

The successful applicant will initially be hired for a period of three years. In the case of a positive evaluation, an extension for another three years is planned.

The focus of agroecology at the University of Bayreuth is on plant-soil interactions and their importance for ecosystem functions such as carbon storage and nutrient turnover. Our research here covers three broad topics: i) coupling aboveground processes and soil functions, ii) the importance of the rhizosphere for crop resistance, iii) the role of mycorrhizae in soil carbon storage. The basis for research in these areas is the use of stable isotopes, for which a new Core Facility (Bayreuth Centre for Stable Isotope Research in Ecology and Biogeochemistry; BayCenSI) with state-of-the-art analytical methods is available at the University of Bayreuth.

Requirements:

• A doctoral degree in ecology, biogeochemistry, agricultural, earth, environmental sciences, or a comparable natural science discipline.
• Outstanding scientific achievements documented by international peer-reviewed publications and (co-)work on research projects.
• Teaching experience, including supervision of students.
• Sound theoretical and practical expertise in stable isotope applications.
• Experience in field and laboratory work.
• Sound knowledge of statistics.
• Experience or interest in a complementary area such as plant physiology, plant ecology, microbiology, fungal ecology.

We expect the ability to work independently and efficiently in a team, to publish high quality research, to build networks on a national and international level as well as to (co-)supervise BSc, MSc and doctoral students and to be actively involved in proposal writing and the acquisition of funding. In the field of agroecology (or isotope biogeochemistry), 5 course hours (BSc/MSc) are to be held independently in German and English during the semester.

What you can expect:

• A constructive working atmosphere in a friendly, open-minded and international team with an excellent international network
• Openness to creative and innovative ideas as well as strong support in developing research ideas and your own research profile
• Opportunities to achieve further qualifications, e.g. in the context of a Habilitation
• Integration into the Bayreuth Centre of Ecology & Environmental Research (BayCEER), featuring interdisciplinary scientific exchange, diverse collaborations in large-scale projects, and access to numerous state-of-the-art analytical instruments
• Compatibility of family and career

The University of Bayreuth views the diversity of its staff as an asset and is expressly committed to the goal of gender equality. Female scholars Applicants with children are highly welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the best practice club Family at University, and has successfully participated in the HRK audit "Internationalization of the University". All qualifications being equal, applicants with disabilities will be given priority.

Please apply online by submitting documents demonstrating your suitability (letter of motivation/planned future research direction -max. 2 pages-, your CV, a list of publications, a list of courses held and theses supervised) by 30^th June 2023, using the subject line "AR-Agaröko" on the application portal of the University of Bayreuth. Application documents will be deleted in accordance with data protection law once the position has been filled.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Johanna Pausch, Agroecology Professorship & Director of the BayCenSI Equipment Centre (johanna.pausch@uni-bayreuth.de; Tel. 0921/55-2292).