PhD position on grassland modelling and remote sensing

The candidate is expected to improve and apply system models for simulations of grassland
biomass growth and phenological development in impact assessment studies of climate change and
adaptation. Emphasis is on the representation of intensive meadows across Germany and their value
for various ecosystem services, including nitrate retention and carbon sequestration. Innovative
remote sensing products will be developed within the project and used to derive information for
immediate model input. The research work is embedded in larger international research networks and
contributes to their progress at various levels.
The task area includes the following foci:
• Analysis of German grassland systems for management patterns
• Data collection and model set-up for grassland system representation
• Model development, parametrisation and validation
• Assimilation of high-frequency time series of multi-spectral optical and SAR remote sensing
data into simulation models
• Simulation of grassland yields and qualities for Germany and selected regions across Europe,
using a grid-based ensemble of simulation models on a multi-core computer cluster
• Analysis of scaling effects of 1D simulations to larger scales
• Synthesis of modelling results in scientific publications and oral presentations at project and
network meetings and conferences
• Support the research group through PhD student supervision and fund raising
Applicants should (I) hold a PhD in Agronomy, Geo-ecology, Geography, Environmental Science or
related area, with focus on simulation modelling, remote sensing and crop production, (II) prove
strong interest in big data (III), be fluent in English (oral and written) and advanced in German and
(IV) show a significant record of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
The applicant will be provided a stimulating environment to advance in scientific career according to
the ZALF qualification support standards.
For further information please contact Dr Claas Nendel, Tel. +49-(0)33432-82-355, e-mail:
nendel@zalf.de
Salary is geared to level 13 of state-level tariff (TV-L), with a working time of 100 % of the regular
weekly working time. The position is limited to 3 years and will be deployed under the precondition of
project funding.