Doctoral candidate (PhD) (65%; d/f/m)

Soundscapes across cityscapes:
Relationships among bird diversity, sound, and urban green infrastructure

PhD Project
Within the CitySoundscapes Project we are offering one PhD position investigating the impact of urban green space structural complexity on bird diversity and urban soundscapes. The candidate will quantify environmental features of the urban infrastructure using terrestrial mobile laser scanning (TLS). Biophonic and anthrophonic sounds will be recorded using automated recording units and bird diversity will be assessed using AI-tools. The PhD project will analyze the interconnections among bird diversity and greenspace structure and the surrounding urban landscape. The results of this work will contribute to tools and guidelines for creating multifunctional and biodiverse urban green spaces in Munich.

CitySoundscapes Project background
Urban green spaces are crucial for biodiversity and human health. Soundscapes indicate environmental conditions and affect human well-being, yet their relationship with urban structures and biodiversity is underexplored. The CitySoundscapes Project aims to link urban soundscape characteristics with the complexity of green spaces, biodiversity, and health. Combining urban ecology, psychology, acoustics, and planning, we provide insights for managing green spaces in Munich and beyond. We also promote health interventions through citizen engagement and stakeholder collaboration.
The CitySoundscapes Project is funded by the Research Initiative for the Conservation of Biodiversity (FEdA), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), who funds scientific projects to analyze biodiversity in Germany and to develop and implement innovative, effective measures to protect and improve biodiversity.

Job description
The PhD candidate will initially set-up and monitor acoustic recorders, as well as collect and coordinate field data campaigns on urban green space structural complexity. Further responsibilities involve the analysis of complexity data and of soundscapes using AI tools. Additionally, the candidate will be expected to publish findings in scientific journals, present results at conferences, and contribute to the preparation of research reports and grant proposals. The PhD candidate will work closely with other PhD candidates and scientists within and beyond the CitySoundscapes Project. The job will be mainly associated with the Professorship for Forest and Agroforest Systems in Freising, DE, but will be jointly supervised by the Chair for Terrestrial Ecology.

Job requirements (must have)

• Excellent master’s degree in related scientific field
• Proven experience in conducting scientific research
• Familiarity with fieldwork and data collection methods relevant to the PhD project
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal in English and/or German
• Willingness and physical capability to conduct fieldwork
• A driver’s license equivalent to Category B valid in Germany

Additional qualifications (nice to have)

• Proficiency in statistical analysis software (e.g., R, Python)
• Experience with AI tools for data analysis
• Experience presenting research findings at conferences or seminars
• Previous experience in publishing research in scientific journals
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Genuine interest in the specific research topic and broader field
• Motivation to contribute to the scientific community and advance knowledge
• Willingness to engage in additional training and development opportunities

Who we are
You will be co-supervised by two research groups at the Technical University of Munich:

• Professorship for Forest and Agroforestry Systems (Peter Annighöfer)
• Chair for Terrestrial Ecology (Sebastian Meyer)

What we offer

• An innovative and lively working environment at the university and campus
• Access to modern facilities and infrastructure at a strong research department
• Scientific exchange, flexibility, independence and self-responsibility
• Extensive options of vocational training (meetings, workshops, conferences)
• A chance to receive your doctoral degree
• Salary according to the German TV-L E13 (65%), initially limited to 36 months

Starting date
01.11.2024

Interested?
Please send your application with: (1) a letter of interest including a short outline of career goals and research experience, (2) a detailed CV, (3) contact information of two referees, (4) and relevant certificates or credentials, in the form of one single pdf-file (CityS_WP01_phd_surname.pdf) by 31.08.2024 to Prof. Dr. Peter Annighöfer; peter.annighoefer@tum.de

Questions regarding project or position?
Please contact: Prof. Annighöfer and/or PD Dr. Sebastian Meyer or visit our webpages for more information on our research groups and the kind of work we do.

Application closing date
Saturday, 31.08.2024

The research is funded by the Research Initiative for the Conservation of Biodiversity (FEdA), the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), who funds scientific projects to analyze biodiversity in Germany and to develop and implement innovative, effective measures to protect and improve biodiversity. Currently, 44 projects are part of FEdA. In the spirit of "transformative" science, the initiative supports the targeted exchange between research, politics, business, agriculture and forestry, nature conservation and civil society. More information at www.feda.bio.

TUM is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified people of all gender are encouraged to apply. We strive to increase the proportion of women, so applications from women are especially welcome. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference, if they essentially have the same qualifications. As part of your application for a position at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you are transmitting personal data. Please note our data protection information in accordance with Art. 13 General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR; Datenschutzgrundverordnung DSGVO) on collection and processing of personal data in the context of your application (https://portal.mytum.de/kompass/datenschutz/Bewerbung/). By submitting your application, you confirm that you have read TUM's data protection information.