At the Department VI of the Trier University, Physical Geography, and the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e.V., we offer the following position within the DFG-project “Fire in the semiarid Pampa: untangling the impacts of fire on soil properties affecting wind erosion and dust emissions under different land uses”:
Research assistant (m/f/d)
(E 13 TV-L, 65%, fixed-term for scientific qualification (doctorate) according to WissZeitVG, for a maximum period of 3 years. The position is equally shared between Trier University and ZALF e.V.)
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to investigate the effects of fire on soil properties, wind erosion and dust emissions in the semi-arid pampas.
The global temperate grasslands are an important transition zone to the deserts and the first deposition area for eroded sand and dust particles. The natural undisturbed vegetation cover protects these eolian soils from re-emission. The assessment of the impact of fire on ecology and soil development of the Argentine pampas is still unclear: on the one hand, fire is an integral part of the intact grassland biome, on the other hand, it is a severe disturbance that can lead to increased susceptibility to wind erosion and dust emissions. At the same time, the semi-arid pampa is one of the most intensively farmed regions in South America, including significant social and economic implications. The project aims to investigate, quantify and evaluate the effects of fire on soil erosion and dust emissions in relation to land use and fire characteristics.
Your future tasks
- Co-organization and implementation of measurement campaigns in Argentina
- Publication and presentation of the project results
- Preparation of the dissertation
- Teaching and supervision opportunities
This is part of your profile
- Master’s degree in agricultural sciences, physical geography, environmental sciences, soil science, biogeography, geoecology, meteorology, or a related discipline
- Research experience in the areas of wind erosion and dust emissions
- Special interest in the effects of fire in semi-arid landscapes and ecosystems
- Willingness to collaborate internationally with Argentinian partners, including longer stays in Argentina
- Experience in at least two of the following fields: (experimental) measurement of wind erosion and dust emissions; statistical analysis of environmental data; climate data analysis; soil physical/chemical analysis; wind erosion modeling; GIS
- Proficiency in two of the following languages: German, English, Spanish
What we offer
- A collegial and open-minded working atmosphere
- Extensive range of training opportunities
- Company ticket for public transportation (ZALF e.V.)
- Discounts for university sports and canteen (Trier University)
- Family-friendly conditions and flexible working hours (vacation care offers, mobile working is possible in accordance with the applicable regulations, taking project requirements into account)
- Annual special payment according to collective agreement
Please send your application with CV, copies of certificates and proof of qualifications as a PDF document (one PDF file, max. 5 MB; compressed PDF documents, archive files such as zip, rar, etc.). (Word documents cannot be processed and therefore cannot be considered!) to Ute Biwer (biweru@uni-trier.de) by 31.08.2025.
If you have any questions about the project and application, please contact Miriam Marzen (mmarzen@uni-trier.de) and Roger Funk (rfunk@zalf.de).
Trier University strives to increase the number of female employees and strongly encourages women to apply. Severely disabled persons and persons with equivalent status according to § 2 para. 3 SGB IX will be given preferential consideration if they are suitable (please enclose proof). The recruitment requirements are set out in Section 57 (2) and (3) of the Higher Education Act (HochSchG), in particular an above-average university degree in agricultural sciences, physical geography, environmental sciences, soil science, biogeography, geoecology, meteorology, or a related discipline (Master’s degree, diploma or comparable).
For more information on the processing of your personal data, please refer to the data protection information for application procedures in accordance with Article 13 DSGVO at the homepage of Trier University and the data protection information for application procedures in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the EU DSGVO 13.