The Institute of Geography of the Faculty of Applied Computer Science at the University of Augsburg has a vacancy starting 1 February 2025 for a

PhD student (m/f/d)
in the DFG project ‘Eroding food security - Cropland soil loss
in the Rwenzori mountains of Uganda [Solozori]"
 

in fixed-term employment for a period of 3 years (pay group 13 TV-L / 65 %).

Project Solozori aims to understand soil degradation dynamics and their impact on cropland productivity and ecosystem services in Uganda’s Rwenzori mountains. Based on extensive field and laboratory work combined with remote and proximal sensing, the PhD candidate (m/f/d) will assess soil redistribution rates and predict the timeline of soil degradation until the loss of soil-related ecosystem services.

While Solozori focuses on natural science in the field of soil science and agricultural management, the project is accompanied by a second project, ‘Building resilience in critical zones: Steep-slope agriculture under changing environmental conditions in the Rwenzori, Uganda [ResCUE]’ with a social science focus. This allows joint fieldwork with multi-angle perspectives on the smallholder agricultural systems in the Rwenzori’s.

The PhD student (m/f/d) will be integrated into the Water and Soil Resources Research working group, a team engaged in several erosion-related projects across Europe and the Global South. In addition to the dynamic exchange within this vibrant working group, the Institute of Geography and the Faculty of Applied Computer Science offer a comprehensive program of graduate courses for PhD students.

Applicants (m/f/d) should hold a master’s degree with coursework and/or work experience in soil science, physical geography, agronomy, or related fields. Experience with remote sensing, GIS, and soil science-related fieldwork in the Global South is advantageous. Willingness to spend several weeks to months in Uganda for fieldwork, as well as proficiency in spoken and written English, is required.

The University of Augsburg promotes professional equality for women. Women are expressly encouraged to apply. The University of Augsburg is particularly committed to the compatibility of family and working life. For more information, please contact the Faculty's Women's Representative.

Applicants with severe disabilities (m/f/d) will be given preference if their suitability, qualifications and professional performance are otherwise essentially equal.

The application documents (including a letter of motivation, a CV, bachelor's and master's certificates, and names of two referees) should be submitted as a single pdf file by

December 15, 2024

to:
Prof. Dr Peter Fiener and Dr Florian Wilken
University of Augsburg
Institute of Geography
E-mail: peter.fiener@geo.uni-augsburg.de; florian.wilken@geo.uni-augsburg.de

Review of applications will start on 16.12.2025 and continue until the position is filled.
For further information, see project webpage and contact Dr Florian Wilken

Please note that only the German version of the job advertisement is legally binding, which can be found on the website: https://www.uni-augsburg.de/de/jobs-und-karriere/stellenangebote/

This english translation of the job advertisement is provided to help you understand the original German one.