About us
e.Ray develops measurement systems, data solutions and new methods in order to understand waters better and bring them into balance in a targeted way. To that end, we combine continuous on-site measurements, satellite data, mapping and publicly available specialist data into a holistic picture of the condition of a water body.
To grow our team further, we are looking for a technically well-versed and communicative person who combines expertise in aquatic ecology with a sound understanding of geodata and the European Water Framework Directive. A further emphasis lies on the water and carbon cycle and on the question of how the impact of water-protection, renaturation and climate-protection measures can be recorded and evidenced robustly.
At the same time, you should enjoy representing e.Ray externally, building professional networks and advancing new approaches together with public authorities, associations, the scientific community and political decision-makers.
Your tasks
- Technical handling and assessment of running waters and lakes under the European Water Framework Directive
- Work with biological quality elements and assessment methods, in particular:
- Macroinvertebrates and PERLODES
- Fish fauna and fiBS
- Macrophytes and phytobenthos, for example with PHYLIB
- Consolidation of biological, chemical-physical, hydromorphological and spatial water-body data
- Mapping and GIS-based analysis of water bodies, catchments, pressures and measures
- Preparation and interpretation of data from the portals of the German federal states, WasserBLIcK, LAWA, HydroATLAS, remote sensing and further public sources
- Assessment of measurement gaps and development of sound monitoring and survey concepts
- Support with WFD reports, status assessments, planning of measures and evidence of impact
- Examination of carbon processes in water bodies, floodplains, wetlands and catchments
- Contribution to the development of baseline values, carbon balances and robust evidence for the impact of renaturation, water-protection and climate-protection measures
- Linking water quality, nutrient dynamics, the carbon cycle and greenhouse-gas emissions
- Translation of technical requirements into digital maps, analyses and understandable situational pictures
- Expert representation of e.Ray towards public authorities, water associations, municipalities, ministries, research institutions and further decision-makers
- Active participation in expert committees, working groups, networks, workshops and events
- Preparation and delivery of technical presentations, project introductions and discussions with decision-makers
- Building and maintaining long-term contacts with actors from water management, water protection, research and policy
- Recognising new projects, cooperations and points of technical connection
- Involvement in projects around water quality, water availability, climate adaptation, climate impact and nature-based solutions
What you bring
- A completed degree, for example in limnology, aquatic ecology, biology, environmental sciences, geography, geoecology, hydrology or a comparable field
- Good knowledge of the European Water Framework Directive and of its biological and ecological assessment methods
- Experience with at least one of the quality elements macroinvertebrates, fish fauna, macrophytes or phytobenthos
- Confident handling of GIS, preferably QGIS or ArcGIS
- An understanding of spatial data, water-body networks, catchments and hydromorphological relationships
- Interest in carbon processes, greenhouse-gas emissions and the assessment of ecological measures
- Experience with impact monitoring, carbon accounting, soil carbon, peatlands, floodplains or wetlands is particularly welcome
- The ability to classify different data sources professionally and to merge them into robust statements
- A confident and dependable manner towards public authorities, expert committees and decision-makers
- Enjoyment of building networks and of actively shaping technical discussions
- The ability to convey complex scientific and technical content clearly, convincingly and in a way suited to the audience
- Initiative, a sense of responsibility and a good feel for differing interests and decision-making paths
- Willingness to travel occasionally and to take part in specialist events and committee meetings
- German at level C1 or above, together with very good written and spoken expression
- Good English is an advantage for our European and international projects
Knowledge of data analysis, remote sensing, Python or R is welcome, but not a requirement. What matters more to us is that you bring a sound understanding of aquatic ecology, that you can make your case convincingly and that you want to connect classical assessment methods with new measurement, data and verification methods.
What awaits you with us
- A visible and responsible role at the interface of aquatic ecology, water management, mapping and strategic collaboration
- The opportunity to actively shape technical discussions and future approaches in water monitoring
- Direct exchange with public authorities, water associations, research institutions and political decision-makers
- Work with real-time measurement data, satellite data and existing water-body data in one shared overall picture
- The opportunity to help develop new digital methods for WFD assessment, planning of measures and impact monitoring
- Collaboration on new approaches for evidencing the ecological and climatic impact of water-protection and renaturation measures
- Short decision-making paths and plenty of room for your own ideas
- Hands-on projects with a direct link to water protection, climate adaptation and water availability
- A growing company with a clear mission: understanding waters better – and bringing them into balance for the long term
- Location Darmstadt: headquarters at Halle R, Goebelstraße 21 – more than 300 m² with workshop, hall and our own water biotope field, five minutes from the central station
Interested?
Then send us your CV and a few short sentences on the experience you bring in aquatic ecology, the WFD and GIS, as well as in working with public authorities, committees or other decision-makers. If you have already worked with carbon processes, soil carbon, impact monitoring or the accounting of climate and renaturation measures, we are equally glad to receive matching project examples. You are welcome to add work samples, maps, reports or publications.
We expressly welcome applications from people who do not command all of the assessment methods and subject areas named to the same degree. What is decisive is a solid understanding of aquatic ecology, a convincing and dependable manner and the pleasure of connecting different disciplines and actors.
