Research Associate for the Project “Carbon Dynamics and climate futures in drylands of Southern Africa” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Institution: Cluster of Excellence „Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS)“ (climate research), Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Earth System Sciences, Institute of Geography

Salary level: EGR. 13 TV-L

Start date: 01.01.2026, fixed until 31.12.2028 (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).

Application deadline: 2025-10-31

Scope of work: part-time

Weekly hours: 65 % of standard work hours per week

The Cluster of Excellence “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS) investigates climate dynamics and climate-related social dynamics, as well as the interactions between the two. To this end, we are looking for colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, including the natural sciences as well as the social sciences. We are proud to work together in a truly integrating manner. Our partners, e.g., the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, Helmholtz Centre Hereon or the German Climate Computing Centre are also hiring. All jobs:

Your responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties.

• conduct research on remote sensing–based quantification of soil and biomass carbon and vegetation–climate–land-use interactions in Southern African drylands
• develop and apply machine-learning methods to link optical/SAR/hyperspectral/UAV spectral data with carbon pools at tree, plot, and regional scales; produce spatially explicit indicators for model integration
• co-develop robust Earth Observation workflows (data curation, pre-processing, QA/QC, uncertainty analysis) and contribute remote-sensing–derived inputs to ecosystem and climate models (e.g., ICON, EPIC)
• collaborate with colleagues across disciplines (e.g., anthropology, modeling) to ensure alignment of remote sensing products with stakeholder scenarios and agent-based modeling
• prepare peer-reviewed publications, present research at international conferences, and contribute to reporting and data management (FAIR)

Your profile

A university degree in a relevant field.

• by the time of submitting application the applicant must have completed Master’s degree in Geography (with focus on Remote Sensing) or in another related field (with focus on Remote Sensing, Earth Observation, or Data Sciences)
• proven skills in satellite data analysis (e.g., Sentinel-1/2, Landsat)
• proven skills in Python and/or R, and statistics/Machine Learning for geospatial data
• experience with SAR and/or hyperspectral data and time-series analysis; UAV experience is a plus
• familiarity with carbon cycle concepts and interest in linking EO with ecosystem/climate modeling is a plus
• ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary in international and interdisciplinary team; strong scientific writing and communication in English

We offer

Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements

Continuing education opportunities

University pensions

Attractive location

Flexible working hours

Work-life balance opportunities

Health management, EGYM Wellpass

Educational leave

30 days of vacation per annum

Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.

Instructions for applying

Contact

Prof. Dr. Olena Dubovyk

Location

Bundesstraße 55
20146 Hamburg

Reference number

305

Application deadline

2025-10-31

Use only the online application form to submit your application with the following documents:

• cover letter
• CV
• copies of degree certificate(s)
• concept note (max. 4 pages) detailing your research plans

If you experience technical problems, send an email to .

More information on in selection procedures.