The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an international research university that offers a wide range of degree programs. With 200 years of history, about 38,000 students, over 6,000 employees, and an excellent domestic and international reputation, BonnUniversity is among Germany’s leading universities.

From July 1, 2020 onwards, the Cluster of Excellence PhenoRob – Robotics and Phenotyping for Sustainable Crop Production seeks for

1 Junior Research Group Leader (100%) (TV-L E14)

The successful candidate will be employed at the University of Bonn. The position is limited to 5 years with the option for permanent em-ployment. Each group comes with two funded PhD positions, easy access to laboratory and field experiments, and the possibility for financial support from the Cluster. The task of the Junior Research Group Leader is to design the research profile of their group and build up an independent and internationally visible research group. The research group will be expected to make central contributions to at leastone of the six core projects (CPs) of the Cluster, preferably supporting CP 6:

4D Crop Reconstruction (CP 1)
Relevance Detection of Crop Features (CP 2)
The Soil-Root Zone (CP 3) Autonomous In-Field Intervention (CP 4)
New Field Arrangements (CP 5)
Technology Adoption and Impact (CP 6)

The Junior Research Group Leader will become a key member of PhenoRob and will be in a position to shape the Cluster’s future research strategy and activities. Though preference will be given to candidates who make central contributions to CP 6, applications of candidates who bridge the gaps to the other CPs will also be considered.

The Cluster of Excellence PhenoRob is a large-scale research initiative that has been funded in the context of the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State Governments. Its research agenda addresses one of the central challenges for humanity, namely to produce sufficient food, feed, fiber, and fuel for an ever-growing world population while simultaneously reducing the environmental footprint of agricultural production. In order to achieve this, Bonn University and the Forschungszentrum Jülich adopt a technology-driven approach characterized by the integration of robotics, digitalization, and machine learning on one hand, and modern phenotyping, modeling, and crop production on the other. For more information about the Cluster and the core projects, visit the official website: www.phenorob.de

Your tasks:

• Designing the research profile and building up an internationally visible, independent research group that makes central contributions to at least one of the six CPs. Central contributions include (i) publishing in high-ranked publications, (ii) collaborating with other PhenoRob members, (iii) building real systems around a CP use case, and (iv) attracting additional funding

Your profile:

• A postdoctoral researcher in one of the Cluster’s or any related disciplines with a strong publication record
• An independent scholar who wants to shape research in one of the Cluster’s six core projects and has the ability to conduct highly visible and impactful research and is willing to attract additional funding for the own group
• An interest in interdisciplinary and collaborative research and openness to new ideas
• The aptitude to lead a small team of PhD students

We offer:

• Two funded PhD positions
• Easy access to laboratory and field experiments
• Financial support from the Cluster
• The opportunity of conducting independent research and the support that is necessary to do so
• An individual target agreement for permanent employment
• An open, stimulating and interdisciplinary work environment where good ideas are encouraged and supported

Applicants are asked to submit:

1. An application consisting of: (a) letter of motivation (1 page); (b) curriculum vitae; (c) list of publications; (d) link to Google Scholar profile; and (e) one copy of your PhD certificate;
2. An outline of the concept for a Research Group, including a short outline for two PhD projects (max. 2 pages);
3. The name and contact of two referees (position, professional address, phone number and email).

The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university and aims to increase the number of women employed in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers. To that end, it urges women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable candidates with a certified disability or equivalent status are particularly welcome.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your complete application documents by March 7, 2020 to administration@phenorob.de with the application code 03/20/3.202/CP6. Before sending your application, please combine and convert all of your documents into one PDF file. For further information please contact Dr. Nora Berning, Chief Administrative Officer, email: nberning@uni-bonn.de