Principal Scientist

~ The European Forest Institute (EFI) is an international organisation established by European States. ~

EFI undertakes forest research and policy support at pan-European and global levels. EFI’s Headquarters is located in Joensuu, Finland. EFI has several offices across Europe, and project offices in Malaysia and China. The Institute has app. 100 staff members and has an annual turnover of app. 14 million Euros. Further information about the organisation is available here.

Position Overview

EFI is seeking a Principal Scientist to lead the Social Sciences team within the Resilience Programme at its new office in Bonn, Germany.

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, biodiversity as well as the role of forests in fostering resilient rural and urban areas. It will apply an inter and transdisciplinary perspective focussing on socio-ecological systems and will work at the science-policy-society interface.

The employee will be an EFI staff member. The duration of employment will be five years with an option for an extension of a further five years.

Further information is available here.

Responsibilities

• Initiate, acquire and lead (European) research projects
• Contribute to the overall management of the Bonn Office and the Resilience Programme
• Publish research findings in both academic journals and policy and practice oriented media
• Engage in communication and science-policy related activities
• Proactively engage in international and national networking

Qualifications

• PhD in forestry and/or social science related to forest issues and/or forest and environmental policy
• At least 10 years of work experience relevant for the position
• A strong track record (publications) and academic impact in social science relating to forests, natural resources and/or related environmental issues
• Experience of initiating and leading research consortia, and particularly experience in European research consortia
• Ability to lead, manage and motivate an international research team
• Experience of close interdisciplinary cooperation
• Experience of policy support activities and stakeholder engagement
• Experience related to the following themes/topics is an asset:
• International & European forest and land use governance
• Climate change and biodiversity policy/social science research relating to these issues
• Integrated forest and land-use management
• Excellent spoken and written skills in English are essential. Knowledge of German is an asset

Compensation: EFI offers a competitive benefits and salary package. This position offers a challenging opportunity to work within a stimulating international environment.

To Apply

Please click below. Interested candidates are requested to send a CV with a cover letter by 27th February 2017.

For more information about the post, please contact Georg Winkel, Head of Resilience Programme.

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

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