Download Vacancy announcement iDiv, the German Center for Integrative

Vacancy announcement
iDiv, the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research,
invites application to a postdoctoral position in community- and
macro-ecology of butterflies in the group of Prof. Dr. Josef Settele,
with significant collaborations with other members of iDiv,
including Prof. Dr. Henrique Pereira, Prof. Dr. Jon Chase, and Dr.
Oliver Schweiger.
Project:
Global change restructures species assemblages with severe
consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The basic
processes underlying this include environmental filtering, niche
partitioning and a number of spatial and stochastic processes. The key
question of the project will be to understand the relative importance of
these underlying mechanisms. Using European butterflies as a model
system, we will integrate multiple data sets on species distribution and
abundance with high temporal and spatial resolution and extent across
Europe. In combination with comprehensive information on species traits
and phylogenetic relationships we will (1) analyse butterfly trait and niche
evolution, (2) identify the impact of global change drivers on spatial and
temporal patterns of species richness, functional and phylogenetic
diversity and their mismatches, and (3) analyse scale-dependencies of
taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversity.
Environment:
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) HalleJena-Leipzig has the central mission to promote theory-driven synthesis
and data-driven theory in integrative biodiversity research. The concept
of iDiv encompasses the detection of biodiversity, understanding its
emergence, exploring its consequences for ecosystem functions and
services, and developing strategies to safeguard biodiversity under global
change. The consortium is highly interdisciplinary and offers a unique
opportunity to develop a transdisciplinary curriculum with emphasis on
the ubiquity of biodiversity. Members of the consortium are spread over
Germany, mostly at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU),
Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU), Leipzig University (UL) and the
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). The researcher will
be centrally involved in the already granted sDiv working group sECURE
(https://www.idiv.de/sdiv/working_groups/wg_pool/secure.html), which
focusses on theory-driven synthesis of big data. Within this group the
postdoc will collaborate with world-leading experts covering a broad range
of expertise in the ecology of butterflies, (meta-)populations, communityand macro-ecology, the niche concept, trait analyses, evolution and
phylogenetic analyses.
Qualification and position:
Due to the integrative nature of iDiv, motivated scientists from all
backgrounds are welcome to apply. Knowledge of German is not a
prerequisite, but good command of English is necessary. Applicants must
hold a doctoral degree at the start of contract. Candidates with experience
in ecological niche theory, macroecology, phylogenetic and/or trait
analyses, biology/ecology of butterflies or global change and general
interest in community assembly and biodiversity are particularly
encouraged to apply. Further, a strong background in modern statistical
analyses and good command of the statistical environment R are
advantageous.
Applications are only accepted via our application portal under
apply.idiv.de, specifying the research project number. Candidates will
upload a letter of motivation tailored to the research project, a
curriculum vitae, the digital copy of the PhD degree, and the
recommendation letters from two scientific references. The deadline for
application submission is 01 January 2017. Selected candidates will be
invited for an interview in Leipzig in February 2017. For queries on the
application process, please contact [email protected].
The initial contract is for two years. The salary is in accordance with the
German public service salary scale (TV-L E 13, 100% of a full time
employment).
Specifics:
Title of the postdoctoral project: Separating Environmental Changes and
their effects on commUnity tRaits in European butterflies Secure;
34600515#10.
Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Josef Settele, Prof. Dr. Jon Chase, Prof. Dr.
Henrique Pereira, Dr. Oliver Schweiger.
Lab website: www.ufz.de/index.php?en=38572
Work location: Halle, Germany.
Contract conditions: Two-year contract with potential extension. Salary
TV-L E13 in accordance with the German public service salary scale. 100%
of a full time employment.
Application: Motivation letter of up to 4 pages + CV + digital copy of PhD
degree + two letters of recommendation by senior scientists + proof of
English proficiency.
To apply, create an account and login on this link and specify the position
number 34600515#10.
For question about the research project, contact: [email protected]
For queries about the application process, please contact [email protected]
Severely disabled persons are encouraged to apply and will be given
preference in the case of equal suitability.
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