8 PhD and 1 Postdoc Fully Funded Positions in Urban Climate Future Lab at Technical University of Braunschweig in Germany: The “Urban Climate Future Lab (UCFL)” is a pioneering research initiative of the Technische Universität Braunschweig in cooperation with the Leibniz University Hannover, Leuphana University Lüneburg, the Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association (ARL) and the Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS). It is funded by zukunft.niedersachsen, a funding programme of the Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony (MWK) and the VolkswagenStiftung.
The aim of the UCFL is to gain a deep understanding of the complex interplay between urbanization, climate impact and mitigation, with a particular focus on Lower Saxony and its extrapolation to wider contexts. UCFL promotes a close interdisciplinary collaboration between architects, urban planners, landscape architects, engineers, climate scientists, and governance experts who work on achieving a transformation towards more resilient as well as low-carbon urban spaces: The planned research aims to first understand how different settlement types contribute to climate change, and how they are affected by it. Second, partnering with real-world actors, cities, municipalities, NGOs and industry, the research will focus on transformation knowledge: How can the Lower Saxony urban system and its constituting elements be transformed to reduce climate effects and increase its overall resilience and sustainability with application to wider contexts?
The cooperating universities and research institutions of the Urban Climate Future Lab invite applications for Urban Climate Future Lab (UCFL): Nine (8 doctoral and 1 postdoctoral) full-time positions to start on October 15, 2024
The Institute for Sustainable Urbanism, TU Braunschweig, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher (TV-L E14, full-time position, 3 years, fixed-term, with the potential option to extend to 6 years, subject to availability of funds) for the position as UCFL General Manager from any of the fields involved (e.g. urbanism, architecture, planning, participation research, or related); focus on overall project management and possibility for own scientific development.
The Institute for Building Climatology and Energy of Architecture, TU Braunschweig, is looking for a doctoral researcher (TV-L E13, full-time position, 3 years, fixed-term) to identify emissions, resources and operational requirements in urban structures incl. buildings, in order to model transformation effects and substitution potentials. Candidates should have knowledge in at least one of the following areas: integrated planning, ClimaDesign at the HVAC and building physics interface, dynamic simulations or life cycle assessments.
The Institute of Sustainability Psychology, Leuphana University Lüneburg, is looking for a doctoral researcher (TV-L E13, full-time position, 3 years, fixed-term) in the realm of sustainability sciences and psychology; focus on cognitive and behavioural responses to climate change in urban contexts. The Institute of Open Space Planning and Design, Leibniz University Hannover, is looking for a doctoral researcher (TV-L E13, full-time position, 3 years, fixed-term) in the realm of Landscape Architecture and Planning. The focus is on the analysis of the climate impact of different types of urban open spaces and how their climate impact is affected by the interlinkages with other settlement types and immaterial aspects.
The ARL – Academy for Territorial Development in the Leibniz Association is looking for a doctoral researcher (TVöD E13, full-time position, 3 years, fixed-term) in the realm of transformative governance-research and climate change, with a background in methods of social science. More doctoral positions will be available e.g., at the Helmholtz-Zentrum hereon GmbH, Climate Service Center Germany (GERICS) and others, which will advertise their openings shortly.
Our UCFL team is destined to become a diverse and multidisciplinary group of researchers. As UCFL team we stand for a truly collaborative, multidisciplinary and integrative research to promote scientifically founded, co-creatively developed real-world solutions for the sustainable transformation of urban and rural areas amidst a climate crisis. To maximize our impact, we will partner with stakeholders beyond academia.
Tasks (Postdoctoral Researcher/Coordination):
- Supporting the project speaker and entire research team in the implementation, coordination and realization of the Urban Climate Future Lab.
- Taking care of all practical tasks in relation to running a large collaborative research project.
- Coordination of PhD students, practise partners, our international board of scientific advisors and other researchers.
- Contribution to the securing of additional (research) funding.
- Development of an own research field.
- Author or co-author publications
Tasks (Doctoral Researcher):
- Completion of a doctoral thesis in your respective discipline within three years and in correspondence to one or more of the UCFL‘s research areas.
- Cooperation with researchers from other fields within UCFL and the project lead (ISU).
- Authorship of publications.
- Regular presentation of interim results of the doctorate and further contributions to academic research through presentations, conference participations, and publications.
- Participation and active involvement in the UFCL research, graduate study programme of the three involved universities, and joint activities.
Requirements:
- An above-average academic degree (in the respective career level) in one of the involved or related disciplines.
- The activities of the UCFL will be conducted in both German and English. A very good command of both languages is required.
- High interest in inter- and transdisciplinary exchange and willingness to cooperate, combined with communication skills on a high level.
- Profound methodological knowledge and research experience as well as a passion and ability for academic writing.
- For positions at Braunschweig, Hannover and Hamburg: Profound knowledge of geographic information systems (ArcGIS, QGIS) as well as raster and vector graphics programmes. Advantageous is familiarity with (graph) databases and common programming languages such as Python.
- For positions at Lüneburg: Profound knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methods, including statistical analysis skills using R, JASP or similar tools.
- International experience is advantageous.
- Willingness and skills to work independently and in an interdisciplinary team, as well as with partners from outside of academia.
Offer:
- An inspiring institutional and multidisciplinary setting. A vibrant campus life in an international atmosphere with lots of intercultural offers and international cooperations.
- Opportunity for gaining ample experience in inter- and transdisciplinary research contributing to a more resilient future.
- Advancement and support through a project-wide network of early career researchers.
- Applied research in a young, interdisciplinary team; focusing on current global challenges.
- An inspiring working environment and excellent research infrastructures as part of the Lower Saxony university community of researchers, teachers, students and staff within the UCFL and its cooperating research institutions.
- Vivid, interdisciplinary and international Graduate Schools, offering scientific support for early career researchers, offerings from personnel development department and sports activities.
- An international, interdisciplinary scientific network.
- Flexible and family-friendly opportunities to alternate between presence work and mobile work.
The cooperating universities and research institutions stand for relevant research, strategic and results-driven thinking and action, committed teaching and the successful transfer of knowledge and technologies to society and industry. We consistently advocate family friendliness and equal opportunities. We welcome applicants of all nationalities.
At the same time, we welcome the interest of severely disabled people and favour their applications if they are equally qualified. Please indicate this in your application and enclose proof. Furthermore, we are working on the fulfilment of the equal opportunities mandate based on the Lower Saxony Equal Opportunities Act (NGG) and are endeavouring to reduce underrepresentation as defined by the NGG in all areas and positions. We are therefore particularly pleased to receive applications from women.
For further general information please contact:
Urban Climate Future Lab
Prof. Dr. Vanessa Miriam Carlow
SpACE Lab at ISU – Institute for Sustainable Urbanism, Technische Universität Braunschweig
Mühlenpfordtstraße 23, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
urbanclimatefuturelab@tu-braunschweig.de +49 531 391-3537
Application:
The links to the respective job descriptions and the associated specific application conditions are available at https://urbanclimatefuturelab.de/#opportunities. As part of the application, we expect a proposal of three to max. five pages (including references) outlining an idea for a PhD project related to the research aims of the UCFL. The application deadline for the doctoral positions will be August 25, 2024. The interviews are scheduled for beginning of September 2024. We expect to send out acceptance letters by mid-September 2024.
The personal data will be stored for the purpose of processing the application. By submitting your application, you agree that your data may be stored and processed electronically for application purposes in compliance with the provisions of data protection law.
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