Researcher on Urban Forestry at the EFI Bonn Office, Germany

The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation with 27 member countries and around 120 associate member organisations.  EFI undertakes forest research and policy support at pan-European and global level, with headquarters located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has its other main offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Bordeaux and Brussels.  The Institute has app. 100 staff members and has an annual turnover of app. 14 million Euros. Further information about the organisation is available at www.efi.int. 

EFI is seeking a Researcher to join its Social Sciences team within the Resilience Programme, at its new office in Bonn, Germany, with a focus on urban forestry.

The Resilience Programme is a new research programme at EFI. It aims to advance knowledge on the role of European forests as a green infrastructure in a global change context, delivering key ecosystem services for Europe’s societies. The Programme addresses the impacts of climate change, the need for adaptive forest management strategies and biodiversity as well as the role of forests in fostering resilient rural and urban areas. As for the latter, the programme aims to provide policy relevant knowledge relating to the management, planning and governance of Europe’s forests in urban areas. It will apply an inter and transdisciplinary perspective focusing on socio-ecological systems and will work at the science-policy-society interface.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Initiate own research activities and develop a research focus on urban and peri-urban forests, forestry urban-rural linkages and related planning and governance under the Resilience Programme.
• Conduct reviews and research relating to these issues.
• Engage in communication and science-policy interface activities.
• Support the management of the Bonn office and the Resilience Programme.
• Proactively engage in international and national networking.

Qualifications: 

• PhD in natural resource management, environmental sciences, urban studies, geography or similar disciplines with a focus on social science, or a comparable qualification.
• At least 3 years of working experience relevant for the position.
• A significant track record of publications and academic impact relating to the profile of the position.
• Experience with acquiring research funding.
• Experience of interdisciplinary cooperation.
• Experience at the science policy interface and with stakeholder engagement.
• Creativity and willingness to explore a research field within an international team.
• Excellent spoken and written skills in English are essential. Knowledge of German is an asset.

Duty Station 

The employee will be based at EFI’s Bonn Office, Germany.

Employment Conditions

The employee will be an EFI staff member. Initially an appointment of 1 year is envisaged with the possibility for an extension.

This position offers a challenging opportunity to work within a stimulating international environment.

Interested candidates are requested to send (in English) a CV including copies of academic degree certificates/ diplomas with a motivation letter by 19th July 2017 using our online application form.  If you are not able to apply online, please send your application to efi.hr @ efi.int. 

For more information about the post, please contact Georg Winkel, Head of Resilience Programme & Bonn Office: georg.winkel @ efi.int. 

EFI is an equal opportunity employer.  All applications will be treated confidentially.

Please note that only candidates who have been shortlisted for interview will be contacted.