Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) with a Professorship (W3[...]

Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) with a Professorship (W3) for Terrestrial Systems Analysis

Join to apply for the Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) with a Professorship (W3) for Terrestrial Systems Analysis role at European Geosciences Union (EGU)

Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) with a Professorship (W3) for Terrestrial Systems Analysis

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Join to apply for the Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) with a Professorship (W3) for Terrestrial Systems Analysis role at European Geosciences Union (EGU)

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Position

Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) with a Professorship (W3) for Terrestrial Systems Analysis

Employer

Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH

The University of Bonn is an international research university with a wide education and research profile. With a 200-year history, approximately 31,500 students, more than 6,000 staff members, and an excellent reputation at home and abroad, the University of Bonn is one of the most important universities in Germany and is recognized as a university of excellence.

Forschungszentrum Jülich is a magnet for outstanding scientists, young talents, and management professionals. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we tackle grand societal challenges and conduct research for a digitized society, climate-friendly energy systems, and resource-efficient economies. We strive for excellence, and our open campus fosters collaboration between people from all over the world. Join more than 7,500 staff members in one of Europe’s largest interdisciplinary research centers and help us to shape change!

Homepage: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en

Location

Jülich bei Köln, Germany

Sector

Academic

Relevant divisions

Biogeosciences (BG)

Hydrological Sciences (HS)

Soil System Sciences (SSS)

Type

Full time

Level

Experienced

Salary

W3

Preferred Education

PhD

Application deadline

15 October 2025

Posted

18 August 2025

Job Description

The Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences of the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn and Forschungszentrum Jülich are jointly seeking a

Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) at Forschungszentrum Jülich

with a

Professorship (W3) for Terrestrial Systems Analysis at the University of Bonn

Terrestrial ecosystems are coming under increasing pressure as a result of population growth, climate change, land-use change, and the effects of land management. The processes that take place in the layer of the Earth’s surface between the upper side of the bedrock and the atmospheric boundary layer – which encompasses near-surface groundwater, soil, and vegetation – play a key role in the functioning of terrestrial systems. A comprehensive understanding of the role of this zone, which is critical to the functioning of terrestrial systems, is essential for predicting the effects of changes in climate, land use, and land management on terrestrial systems and the ecosystem services provided.

The research work conducted at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) aims to understand the hydrological and biogeochemical processes in terrestrial systems with a focus on human-managed systems, such as agricultural land and managed forests, and predict how these processes are affected by human intervention. Its main research activities include the investigation of biogeochemical and hydrological cycles as well as the quantification of exchange processes and subsoil processes within the soil–plant–atmosphere continuum. Sensing technologies, laboratory, field, and regional-scale experiments, as well as modeling approaches are used to bridge gaps between the different spatial and temporal scales on which processes in terrestrial systems take place. The Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) contributes to stakeholder-driven fundamental research on the bioeconomy and the climate, and closely collaborates with Forschungszentrum Jülich institutes in the research fields “energy and climate” and “information”.

To Strengthen Our Research Activities In The Field Of Terrestrial Systems Analysis, We Seek a Candidate Who Can Develop And Lead Future Research Activities In One Or More Of The Following Directions Or Related Topics

• Innovative observation methods for terrestrial systems research, bridging different scales and ranging from detailed and local non-invasive imaging methods to large-scale remote sensing
• The interpretation of observations by combining observations with terrestrial system models, for example using data analysis methods, such as data assimilation, physical- or process-based machine learning, or deep learning algorithms
• Analysis of the effects of human intervention on terrestrial systems and the translation of fundamental process understanding into actionable information
  
  

As director of the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3), the successful candidate will collaboratively lead IBG-3 and manage its research portfolio alongside two other directors. The candidate must have strong and inspiring leadership qualities, as well as the experience and ability to provide fresh impetus and advance future research directions in alignment with the research strategy and mission of Forschungszentrum Jülich in the field of bioeconomy.

The W3 professorship for Terrestrial Systems Analysis will be located at the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences at the University of Bonn and is based on the “Jülich model” (leave of absence model). The place of work is Jülich.

Conditions of employment are in accordance with

• 36 of the Higher Education Act of North Rhine-Westphalia.
  
  

The requirements include a university degree, a doctoral degree, and additional academic qualifications, evidenced through a habilitation (post-doctoral lecturing qualification), a junior professorship, or equivalent academic work at a university, research institution, in industry, administration, or other societal sectors. Furthermore, good teaching skills are also essential. The application should include the usual supporting documents (CV, certificates, lists of publications, teaching experience, brief summary of previous research activities, including details of third-party funding, and a research concept for the advertised position).

How to apply

Applications must be in English and submitted until October 15, 2025, and should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Heiko Schoof, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural, Nutritional and Engineering Sciences at the University of Bonn, and Prof. Dr. Ir. Peter Jansens, Member of the Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich. Please submit your application online via the University of Bonn’s appointment portal: https://berufungsportal.uni-bonn.de.

Questions about the position should be addressed to Prof. Dr. Michaela I. Hegglin (m.i.hegglin@fz-juelich.de).

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender. University of Bonn and Forschungszentrum Jülich are certified family-friendly employers. Forschungszentrum Jülich offers dual career programs. University of Bonn supports dual career matters throughout the entire university sector. We are committed to encouraging women in their careers and therefore particularly welcome applications from women. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favoured for a specific reason. Applications from qualified candidates with disabilities are explicitly encouraged. Upon acceptance of the position, support will be offered through a comprehensive human resource development program.

For further information on joint applications, visit https://go.fzj.de/appointments.

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Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Education and Training

• Industries

  Non-profit Organization Management

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