Dear Ecologgers, Please find below details of a PhD position in Trinity College Dublin that will be commencing in September 2012.
With best wishes, Ian. Examining the interactions between ecological context and ecosystem stability Understanding how perturbations affect the stability of ecosystems is fundamental to the prediction of biodiversity loss and to ensuring the reliable provision of ecosystem services. However, theory has focused largely on models of trophic interactions and has mostly omitted the non-trophic links that can regulate the structure and dynamics of biological communities. Consequently, current theoretical understanding may not provide a useful model of natural systems and may underestimate significantly the effects of perturbations on stability. Empirical quantification of the effects of perturbations in natural communities is therefore needed both to test the predictions of theory and to quantify the true scale of the effect of perturbations on ecosystem stability. This project will examine the interactions among environmental dynamics and the structure, functioning and stability of biological communities. The research will likely incorporate experiments done both in the field and in mesocosms, using a range of aquatic ecosystems (coastal shores, lakes and/or rivers) as model systems. Depending upon the interests of the student, there is also much potential for theoretical exploration. The project will be supervised by both Dr. Ian Donohue and Dr. Andrew Jackson at the School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Expected start date is September 2012. Funding is provided for a 3 year PhD studentship from Trinity College Dublin. Stipend is €16,000 per annum plus fees for 3 years. There are no limitations on student nationality. Applicants must have (or realistically expect to achieve) a first or upper second class Bachelors, or Masters degree in a relevant subject (Biology, Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Mathematics, Statistics or similar). The candidate will preferably have a high-level of numerical competency. Much of this work is collaborative and the candidate will be expected to be keen, motivated and willing to work as part of a team. In addition, applicants must be competent in written and spoken English and ideally hold a full, clean driving licence. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae detailing their qualifications and experience and containing the names and contact details of at least two referees, together with a covering letter explaining why they wish to pursue this project. Please direct any enquiries about the research to Dr. Ian Donohue (ian.dono...@tcd.ie). Applications to be received electronically or as hard copy to Fiona Maloney (fimol...@tcd.ie) on or before 30 March 2012. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ian Donohue PhD Assistant Professor Ussher Lecturer in Ecosystem Functioning School of Natural Sciences (Zoology Building) Trinity College Dublin Dublin 2 Ireland Phone: +353 1 8961356 Fax: +353 1 6778094 Email: ian.dono...@tcd.ie Skype: ian_donohue http://www.tcd.ie/zoology/research/research/donohue/index.php http://tcd.academia.edu/IanDonohue -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
