Wissenschaftliche Hilfskraft (w/m/d)

at  German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research iDiv

EXTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Faculty of Natural Sciences I, Institute of Biology offers
the following position with Leipzig as job location and a preferred starting date 024:

‘DIGITIZATION SPECIALIST’

Working hours: 30 to 40 hours/ month
The position is initially limited to one year, with an option for extension. The salary will be determined
with regard to the assigned tasks and personal qualifications and ranges from 13,25 €/h to 18,78 €/h.
The position is affiliated to the DFG funded project ‘Quantifying and Reducing Uncertainty in Plant
Demographic models (RUPDemo)’ of Dr. Aldo Compagnoni, located at the German Centre for
Integrative Biodiversity Research Halle-Jena-Leipzig (iDiv) in Leipzig, Germany. The project aims to
understand how plant populations respond to a variety of climate drivers at a global scale. To enable
this, we are creating PADRINO, a database of plant demography. The person in this position will have
the opportunity to read scientific literature on plant population biology, identify papers that are
appropriate for PADRINO, extract information or raw data from those papers, fit linear models, and
build population models. We are looking for a candidate that has some experience in R and statistics,
and who will receive substantial training on the specific tasks of this job. This is a great opportunity
for a candidate who is eager to develop skills in R coding, statistics, or population modeling.
The working language is English.

Requirements/expected profile:

• University degree in biology, ecology, or a similar scientific field (Bachelor or Master)
• Experience in R coding
• Ability to fit and interpret linear statistical models
• Experience working independently and summarizing scientific literature
• Fluent in English (spoken and written)
• Experience with plant demography is an asset
• Experience and enthusiasm working in international teams is an advantage
• Remote work is a possibility depending on the skills of the candidate

veröffentlicht am 09.04.2024

Tasks/ job description:

• Perform literature searches to identify datasets or scientific articles on plant population projection

models (Matrix, and Integral, projection models) or plant population time series.

• Identify the population projection model parameters that can be extracted from the relevant

datasets or scientific articles.

• Whenever needed, directly contact the authors of scientific publications or datasets to ask for

clarification or additional data.

• Fit linear models in R to obtain population model estimates directly from raw datasets. Use

estimates to build population models (either Matrix or Integral Projection Models).

• Curate data, including cleaning, formatting, and error checking using R code. Error checking will

include testing the correct functioning of the population models.

• Digitize textual or tabular demographic information into the PADRINO databases.
• Collaborate remotely with a worldwide network of colleagues (e.g. Oxford University; Rice

University).
Priority will be given to applicants with severe disability and with equal qualifications. Women are
strongly encouraged to submit their applications.
For any queries please contact Aldo Compagnoni, E-mail: aldo.compagnoni@idiv.de.
Applications should consist of a single .pdf file including (i) a letter of interest and a (ii) curriculum vitae.
Please submit your application only in English as one .pdf with the subject line ‘Application scientific
research assistant 10/2024 by 31 April 2024 to aldo.compagnoni@idiv.de. The interviews are likely to
be held in May 2024.
The announcement takes place pending any possible budget restrictions. Application expenses cannot be
reimbursed by the Martin Luther University.
veröffentlicht am 09.04.2024

• Perform literature searches to identify datasets or scientific articles on plant population projectio