05 Postdoctoral Fellowship at University of Freiburg, Germany

The Excellence Cluster Future Forests at the University of Freiburg is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to questions of adaptation and transformation of forests and their societal use in the face of global change. Future-oriented research on the complex interactions between forests and society is conducted here with outstanding international visibility, supported by the German Research Foundation. Future Forests brings together more than 50 researchers from four faculties as well as non-university partner institutions.

The postdoctoral researcher will join the team of the theme “Multi- and interdisciplinary conceptualisations of novel forest SESs” which works on the conceptual foundations, (modelling) methodologies and development of theories of forests as complex, adaptive social-ecological systems (SES). The position includes i) conceptual research in an interdisciplinary environment with the aim to contribute to the development of the FuFo SES framework and conceptual models of forests as SES, and ii) collaborative research with empirical researchers from the natural and social sciences to theorize processes of forest adaptation and transformation. Research activities will involve eliciting, reviewing and synthesizing existing forest conceptualisations, fostering dialogue and co-learning across FuFo themes, exploring selected case studies to clarify key concepts and enhance understandings of forest adaptation and transformation pathways (A&TPs) and developing conceptual and potentially simulation models of forest adaptation and transformation processes. While the working place is Freiburg/Germany, the researcher will work in close collaboration with Prof. Maja Schlüter and team at the Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University, and is expected to spend a reasonable amount of time each year in Stockholm.

The PEARLS project: Precision in Energy-aware AI Research for Lowcarbon Solutions is performed in collaboration with the national laboratory, Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) in Hamburg and Berlin-Zeuthen. It explores the relationship between sustainability, AI and science, or more specifically High Energy Physics, and aims to contribute to pathways for mitigating the climate crisis.

We are seeking a highly motivated and excellent postdoctoral researcher with a background in particle physics, computing, AI, statistical mathematics, or related fields. The aim of the position is to develop carbon accounting for AI, uncertainty estimation of AI models together with uncertainty reduction and implementation and testing in an “Improve your (professional) footprint” tool. An openness to diving into new topics and potentially interdisciplinary research is expected.

The research will be carried out in the context of the PEARLS project, funded through the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) as part of the funding line: Data and Digitisation related to Exploring the Universe and Matter (ErUM-Data). 

Future Forests is an interdisciplinary research centre addressing the adaptation and trans­formation of forests and their societal use in times of global change. The Cluster of Excellence is funded by the German Research Foundation and brings together over 50 scientists from four departments and external partner institutions.      
More information at: uni-freiburg.de/futureforests-en

The project DM-frame explores how societies navigate environmental uncertainty and ambi­guity through practices that go beyond conventional notions of decision-making. The project serves an important coordination and integration function within the distinctly social science-oriented Research Area B (“Decision-making for Future Forests”) and within the Cluster as a whole. The position offers the opportunity to engage critically with interdisciplinary debates at the intersection of political theory, sociology, science and technology studies, and environmental governance. The successful candidate will contribute to synthesizing and developing alternative conceptualizations of decision-making and examine how these frameworks illuminate decision processes in contexts of ecological complexity and contested knowledge.

The institute for sustainable systems engineering (INATECH) as part of the faculty of engineering is offering a new position for research on the deposition and utilisation of perovskite thin films for optoelectronic devices.Potential candidates should hold a PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics, Material Science,  Electric Engineering (or related fields).

The Neurobiology and Neurotechnology group investigates the foundations of motor and cognitive processes and advances novel approaches with translational potential for neurotechnological applications. We are seeking a dedicated and excellent scientist with a passion for both research and teaching to strengthen our interdisciplinary team.

The position is initially limited to three years, with the possibility of an extension for another three years. Employment and compensation will be in accordance with A13. Employment is subject to the fulfillment of civil service requirements.