Job Announcement: Head of the Trace Gas Laboratory at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry

The Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry is opening a position for a scientist as

Head of the Trace Gas Laboratory

in charge of the construction this part of the ICOS- Flask- and Calibration Laboratory.

The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) is a research infrastructure that aims at providing the long-term observational data required to understand the present state and predict future behavior of the global carbon cycle and regional greenhouse gas emissions. This is partly based on standardized, long-term atmospheric measurements of CO2, CH4 und N2O by the European monitoring networks. The required data accuracy of the European data shall be ensured by Central Analytic Laboratories.

The construction of the ICOS Flask and Calibration Laboratory (FCL) is currently being started in Jena, Germany, within the scope of the German ICOS pilot- and demonstration phase funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).

The specific tasks of this position involve the development and optimization of analytical systems for the precise measurement of greenhouse gas mixing ratios, the respective standardized methods for automatic measurement and data processing, as well as the QA-QC-procedures for various time intervals. The integration of the laboratory into the European ICOS network and the international greenhouse gas monitoring community will require an intensive collaboration with international partners, specifically in the ICOS Atmospheric Thematic Centre.

Successful candidates hold a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry or comparable qualification. We expect
experience in the design and testing of analytical systems and the operation of high-precision trace gas analysis. A profound knowledge in gas chromatography and optical gas analyzers is necessary. Practice in heading a laboratory and skills in data management are advantageous for a successful job application. The position requires team spirit, personal engagement and organizational and managerial skills. It is assumed that the candidate is interested in scientific challenges and international collaboration. Good English language skills are a must, working knowledge of German will prove beneficial.

The Max Planck Society is committed to employing more handicapped individuals and especially
encourages them to apply. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

The position is open immediately. Initially, it is temporary within the scope of the funded project until
31.01.2014. There is a likely extension for two more years in the next funding period and a possible
continuation beyond 2015. The salary is according to the German federal pay scale.

Interested scientists should send their application in writing, including CV and letters of recommendation by April 13, 2012 referring to position “WISS-Gas”:

Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry
Personalbüro, Hans-Knoell-Str. 10, 07743 Jena, Germany
or to:
bewerbung@bgc-jena.mpg.de (max 10 MB per e-mail)

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