PhD - Forest inventory

Goettingen University

Goettingen, Germany

Description

The Centre for Statistics at Goettingen University is inviting applications for 1 PhD Position in Forest Inventory and Remote Sensing (75 % E 13 TV-L) within the Research Training Group (RTG) 1644 ‘Scaling Problems in Statistics’, starting October 1, 2013. The position is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for 2.5 years with the possibility of extension. The highly interdisciplinary Research Training Group aims at the solution of current questions in the areas of agricultural economics, ecology, econometrics, genetics, and remote sensing by means of statistical methods, and at the development of the latter. It distinguishes itself through joint supervision and a structured study program consisting of methodologically oriented lectures, interdisciplinary research seminars and skills courses, and includes a career enhancement program for female PhD students. The Research Training Group involves working groups from Agroecology, Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Animal Breeding and Genetics, Ecosystem Modelling, Forest Inventory and Remote Sensing, Genetic Epidemiology, Mathematical Stochastics, Statistics and Econometrics. For more information, visit www.uni-goettingen.de/rtg1644. The advertised position is located at the Chair of Forest Inventory and Remote Sensing, Prof. Dr. Christoph Kleinn. The research project will be on ‘Scale conversion in integrated forest monitoring: streamlining the joint analysis of sample based field observations and remote sensing digital image analyses to optimize the precision of estimation’. In forest resource assessments, information is collected at various spatial and temporal scales. Whenever the units for which data exist differ in scale from those required for decision making, the inventory analyst faces the problem of transferring data and information from one scale to another. This transformation may alter the character of the generated information and thus the conclusions based on such information. For more details, visit www.uni-goettingen.de/rtg1644/jobs.

Requirements

The successful candidate holds a M.Sc. degree or equivalent in forest sciences, remote sensing, geography or biology, with good knowledge in spatial statistics and with the analysis of forest inventory data sets. Experience with satellite imagery and R language are advantageous. Fluency in English is essential. Willingness and readiness to learn German is expected. Göttingen University is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude will be favored.

More information and applications

To apply for this position, please upload your application via the online application site:

https://s-lotus.gwdg.de/uni/uwfb/rtg1644_2013.nsf/enter