New Postdoc Position on assessing rewilding opportunities in freshwater systems

We are excited to invite applications for a new Postdoc position on assessing rewilding opportunities in freshwater systems.

Wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems globally, with inland wetlands having suffered the most - there is thus a clear and urgent need for restoring wetlands in Europe to prevent further loss of biodiversity and to restore ecological functionality. The successful candidate will work on broad, biogeographic scales to better understand where such actions should take place in Central and Eastern Europe. Specifically, the position will develop and map satellite-based rewilding indicators for the land-water interface, and use them to assess, for example, changes in floodplain and river morphology, assess lateral river and floodplain connectivity, or understand habitat distribution and fragmentation of aquatic and semi-aquatic megafauna. This will allow for assessing restoration gaps and mapping priority areas for rewilding actions.

The position is connected to three research projects on rewilding and megafauna: the Leibniz-Association-funded project “Freshwater Megafauna Futures”, and the EU Horizon Europe projects “Danube4all” and “wildE”. The position is shared between the Conservation Biogeography Lab in the Geography Department of Humboldt University Berlin and the Aquatic Ecogeography Lab in the Department of Community and Ecosystem Ecology of IGB. The candidate will be fully integrated in both research groups and actively link the groups.

We seek a candidate with a PhD in environmental science, ecology or related fields of biology or geography. We expect a strong expertise in remote sensing, statistical analysis, and spatial modeling, advanced knowledge and experience in one or several of the following skills: R programming, Python programming, and open-source GIS tools such as GDAL/OGR and GRASS GIS, publication experience commensurate with career level, Very good verbal and written communication skills in English, Strong collaborative skills to foster exchange and collaboration among the two research groups at the IGB and HU Berlin, and with other project partners and commitment to promoting a positive and inclusive institutional culture. Highly desirable is experience in translating conservation science to action and/or work at the science/policy interface.

Full English description here.

Application deadline: 19 October 2023.