14 Doktoranden für das DFG Graduiertenkolleg ECO-N in Leipzig bei German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv)

Reference number 371/2023

14 Doctoral Researchers (m/f/d) for the DFG Research Training Group ECO-N

Founded in 1409, Leipzig University is one of Germany’s largest universities and a leader in research and

medical training. With around 30,000 students and more than 5000 members of staff across 14 faculties, it is

at the heart of the vibrant and outward-looking city of Leipzig. Leipzig University offers an innovative and

international working environment as well as an exciting range of career opportunities in research, teaching,

knowledge and technology transfer, infrastructure and administration.

Leipzig University is starting a new research training group on the Economics of Connected Natural

Commons: Atmosphere and Biodiversity (ECO-N), funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The

project involves the Faculties of (1) Economics and Management Science, (2) Life Sciences, and (3) Physics

and Earth System Sciences at Leipzig University, as well as the Leibniz Institute for Tropospheric Research,

the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), and the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity

Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig.

ECO-N combines interdisciplinary research on how to sustainably use and conserve natural commons such

as biodiverse forests, fertile soils, regional climate, or clean urban air with a rigorous course programme

providing disciplinary and interdisciplinary competencies. A total of approximately 30 early-career

researchers and established researchers from economics, meteorology, and biology will collaborate within

ECO-N. A welcome week, annual retreats, and a continuous lecture series with international guests, and

synthesis activities, constitute the collaborative, fair and inclusive working environment in the ECO-N

research training group. Doctoral programmes in Economics, Meteorology and Integrative Biodiversity

Research provide high-level disciplinary graduate education, complemented by interdisciplinary advanced

training modules tailored to ECO-N.

Weseek to fill the above positions 024.

We are seeking candidates with a Master’s degree in economics, meteorology, biology, or related

disciplines. The doctoral research will be done in interdisciplinary collaborative projects. Within these

projects, two to four doctoral researchers from different disciplines will develop a deep understanding of

natural commons related to atmosphere and biodiversity:

• Accounting for aerosols in climate mitigation pathways and on financial markets

• Quantifying distributional effects of adaptation to future "record-shattering" heat waves

• Explaining within-city-differences in air quality and socio-economic outcomes

• Assessing the human benefits of soil multifunctionality

• Proposing elements of optimal forest management

About the position

• Fixed term of four years (until August 2028)

• 75 % of a full-time position (each position)

• Planned remuneration: salary group 13 TV-L

Duties

• Quantitative research on sustainable use of specific natural commons as part of an interdisciplinary

team

• Writing and publishing of scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals; presentation of own research

at national and international conferences

• Participation in the disciplinary doctoral programmes (in Economics, Meteorology or Integrative

Biodiversity Research), and in the advanced training modules of the research training group

• Contributing to the doctoral seminars and events of the research training group

• Opportunity of contributing to synthesis working groups as part of the research training group

Requirements

• Strong interest in sustainable use and conservation of natural commons

• Very good Master’s degree, or equivalent, in economics, meteorology, biology or a related

discipline

• Profound knowledge in quantitative research methods (statistics, econometrics, modelling)

• Fluent English communication skills (speaking and writing)

• Team-orientation and openness for interdisciplinary and international collaboration

What the Application should include

• Cover letter (in English) describing the motivation for doing a PhD within ECO-N, research interests

& relevant experience. Please also explain which Interdisciplinary Collaborative Project you would

be most interested i