The Institute of Forestry of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forests and Fisheries, at the Hamburg-Bergedorf location is looking for the following full-time position (subject to the final approval of the third-party funding body), startet 01.10.2024

research associate  

with experience in geoinformatics, remote sensing and spatial data science (f/m/d)

The position is embedded in the work area “Forests and Society - Economic Evaluation” at the Hamburg‑Bergedorf site. It is part of the research project “Development of a risk-based monitoring service for the national implementation of the EU Regulation on deforestation-free products (acronym: RiMoDi)”. The DLR-funded project supports the implementation of the EU regulation (EU) 2023/1115on deforestation-free supply chains (EUDR). The project partner is the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food. The aim of the project is to develop a risk-based monitoring service that can be used to check whether the products made available by German market participants on the EU market are free from deforestation and forest degradation in accordance with the EUDR. For this purpose, algorithms for the differentiation of different land use types are implemented in a risk-based GIS analysis tool in combination with CODE-DE-based process chains and Copernicus Earth observation data. One focus will be on the detection of deforestation patterns and forest degradation using time series analyses of satellite images from ESA Copernicus.  

Tasks and responsibilities:

• development of a workflow and implementation of process chains in the CODE-DE cloud platform
• creation of a meta- and raw database for CODED (Continuous Degradation Detection) process chains for training and validation purposes
• integration of Sentinel-2 time series, CODED algorithms and process chains as a virtual machine in CODE‑DE
• creation of forest/non-forest maps, conducting evaluations based on spatial metrics and indicators
• development of a GIS-based analysis method for the detection of forest degradation according to the EUDR definition (differentiation of different forest types according to FAO, integration into CODE-DE)
• collaboration with project partners and colleagues from related Thünen research projects
• support in the implementation of the forest/non-forest maps in a GIS-based risk analysis tool at the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food
• preparation of scientific publications, project reports and training materials
• presentation of the methodology and results at national and international conferences

Required profile:

• Univ.-Diploma or MSc degree (good or very good) or PhD in Geoinformation Science, Remote Sensing, Spatial Data Science or related fields such as agricultural, forestry or environmental sciences
• profound knowledge in using big data spatial analysis and related data management
• strong programming skills in Python and R
• experience in the use of cloud-based platforms such as CODE-DE is an advantage
• sound knowledge of land use systems and forest management is an advantage
• willingness to travel for project meetings, workshops and conferences
• ability to work independently and as part of a team
• good to very good knowledge of English and German mandatory (at least B2 CEFR)

We offer:

• collaboration in a project that is exciting in terms of content, relevant to research and at the same time application-oriented
• the opportunity to work in an international, innovative and successful team
• flexible working hours with up to 50 % home office
• a position in a research institute that serves the public and supports political decision-making processes

We support the compatibility of work and family and are holders of the audit berufundfamilie' certificate. The Thünen Institute offers flexible working time models, home office and telework within the scope of the official possibilities. Part-time employment is possible in principle.

The employment is governed by the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD); the remuneration is paid if the tariff and personal requirements according to salary group 13 TVöD are fulfilled. The Thünen Institute supports the Deutschlandticket with a financial subsidy.

The Thünen Institute promotes professional equality among women and men and therefore welcomes applications from women in particular.

The Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore encouraged. They will be given special consideration in the selection process.

Please contact Dr. Margret Köthke (margret.koethke@thuenen.de, phone +49 40-73962-308) if you have any questions about this position.

If this job offer matches your ambition and interest, we look forward to receiving your electronic application (cover letter explaining your research interests and why you have applied for the position, CV, work and study certificates, transcript of records, as well as publications, if any) in English in a single PDF document by04.08.2024. Please use the reference 2024-149-WF and send it to:

wf-bewerbungen@thuenen.de

or

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut

Institut für Waldwirtschaft

Prof. Dr. Matthias Dieter

‚2024-149-WF‘

Leuschnerstr. 91, 21031 Hamburg

Informations about Artikel 13 DSGVO: www.thuenen.de/de/thuenen-institut/karriere