Research Associates in Human and Earth System Coupled Research
In the framework of the Profile Building 2022 of the Ministry for Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (Profilbildung 2022 des Ministeriums für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen), Germany, a new project on “Cultural Evolution in Changing Climate: Human and Earth System Coupled Research (HESCOR)” will be established at the University of Cologne. HESCOR aims to develop a new science field of Human and Earth system coupled research through a cross-faculty multi-disciplinary structure and to investigate how the constellation of and interaction between the Human and Earth systems influenced human cultural evolution during the main phases of human expansion. We now invite applications for postdoctoral research associate positions in the areas of Earth system modelling, Human system modelling, applied numerical mathematics, scientific computing and/or machine learning, environmental humanities, archeology and paleoclimate and environment. The researcher associates are expected to interact with the principal investigators and build a cross-disciplinary cohesive research team. The positions include
- Research Associate in Human and Earth System Couple Research
- Research Associate in Human System Modelling
- Research Associate in Earth System Modelling
- Research Associate in Numerical Mathematics
- Research Associate in Scientific Computing
- Research Associate in Modelling of Paleoclimate and Cultural Evolution
The job description, duty statement and qualification requirements for each of these positions can be found at the website:
https://imfess.uni-koeln.de/hescor/positions and
https://ufg.phil-fak.uni-koeln.de/hescor
We provide a collaborative and friendly environment for cutting edge research and ensure measures are in place to promote early-career researchers.
The positions are available on a full-time basis (39,83 hours per week), starting from 1 November 2023. The employment is on a fixed-term basis for 3 years. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary will be based on remuneration group 13 TV-L of the pay scale for the German public sector. Qualified candidates with a PhD degree in relevant subject areas are encouraged to apply. Applications must include the following compulsory documents:
1. Cover letter, including a statement on research interests, expertise and experiences;
2. Curriculum Vitae, including a publication list (highlight the most relevant publication if applicable);
3. Certificates for PhD and MSc (or equivalent).
In your cover letter, please clearly state which position you are applying for, and name two persons (including email) who can provide recommendation for your application. Please submit your application until 15.10.2023 via Jobportal of the University of Cologne at https://jobportal.uni-koeln.de. The reference number is Wiss2309-10.
The University of Cologne is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. Women are especially encouraged to apply and will be considered preferentially in accordance with the Gender Equality Act of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (LGG NRW). We also expressly welcome people with disabilities/special needs or of equal status. For general information, please contact Prof. Yaping Shao (yshao@uni-koeln.de) or Jr.-Prof. Andreas Maier (a.maier@uni-koeln.de), for requests specific to the individual positions, please contact the responsible PIs listed in the position description, and for application procedural matters, please contact Dipl. Claudia Veltman (info-mesh@uni-koeln.de).
RA1. Research Associate in Human and Earth System Couple Research: HESCOR places great value on the theoretical, conceptual, strategic and methodological advancement of the cross-disciplinary research. The RA, in conjunction with all PIs and the HESCOR team, is expected to play a pivotal role in this development. The main tasks include a review on history and state of art of HESCOR, design of a theoretical framework for HESCOR, development of strategy and methodology to solution of scientific hurdles involve multi-disciplinaries and development of grant ideas, visions and frameworks of future ERC Synergy, DFG SBF/Forschungsgruppe proposals. The RA is expected to have a PhD in either natural or social sciences, preferably with expertise in complex system studies. For additional information, please contact yshao@uni-koeln.de or crigby@uni-koeln.de
RA2. Research Associate in Human System Modelling: The RA is expected to play a key role in the conceptualization and operationalization of key terms for human system analyses as well as the parametrization of learning processes in light of the attempted coupling of human and earth system models. With a background in the (digital or environmental) humanities (PhD in linguistics, literary or cultural studies, history etc.) and an expertise in educational or natural sciences as well as experience with interdisciplinary work, they will develop and test new modules for human system resilience and cultural carrying capacity in the HSM. For additional information, please contact roman.bartosch@uni-koeln.de or carolin.schwegler@uni-koeln.de.
RA3. Research Associate in Earth System Modelling: The RA is expected to play a key role in the reconstruction of the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate data using an Earth System Model and the coupling of Human System and Earth System models. Qualified candidates with a PhD in meteorology, mathematics or another natural scientific department and knowledge in Earth System modeling (e.g. using ICON or similar) are encouraged to apply. Experience in scientific programming and skills in scientific writing are essential. For additional information, please contact screwell@uni-koeln.de or c.wegener@uni-koeln.de
RA4. Research Associate in Numerical Mathematics: This project centers on modeling human dispersal on population networks by PDEs (partial differential equations) and corresponding numerical simulations by finite element, finite difference or spectral methods. The RA is expected to have a PhD in mathematics, physics or related field and excellent programming skills preferably in python or julia. For further information, please contact akunoth@uni-koeln.de
RA6. Research Associate in Scientific Computing: HESCOR WP6 centers on cultural clustering and on machine learning of cultural evolution in climate change. The RA is expected to play a key role in the design of feature vectors and cultural attributes for archaeological sites, cultural cluster analysis with finite Gaussian mixture and fuzzy clustering techniques, and mapping clusters in physical space and time using machine learning techniques. The RA will also interact intensively with the HESCOR members of other working packages. The RA is expected to have a PhD in mathematics with focus in scientific computing, big data and machine learning. Excellent programming skills preferably in Python or Julia are essential. For additional information, please contact ggassner@uni-koeln.de or aruedara@uni-koeln.de
RA10. Research Associate in Modelling of Paleoclimate and Cultural Evolution: This project is dedicated to investigation of the impact of climate fluctuations on punctuated human settlement. The RA is expected to play a key role in analysing the rhythms of punctuated settlement against background of climate change, using model and statistical tools for examination of the green-wave hypothesis and using high-resolution Human and Earth system coupled model for simulation of hunter-gatherer migration in period ~45-15 ka BP on East European Plain. Qualified candidates with a PhD in meteorology, mathematics or another natural scientific department and knowledge in Earth System modeling are encouraged to apply. Scientific programming will be essential and knowledge in archaeology and anthropology would be an advantage. For additional information, please contact nikki.vercauteren@uni-koeln.de or a.maier@uni-koeln.de