Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantitative Ecology: Effects of rapid evolution on ecosystems.
The Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the University of Jyväskylä is currently seeking to recruit a qualified candidate to the position of Postdoctoral Researcher in Quantitative Ecology The postdoctoral researcher will work in the project "The ecosystem effects of a rapidly evolving invader” (http://tinyurl.com/jy6uojx) led by Dr. Andrés López-Sepulcre and funded by the Academy of Finland. In this project we develop a novel mathematical framework to study the effects of consumer invasion and evolution on nutrient cycling, and apply it to isotope tracer data from an ongoing long-term evolutionary experiment using introduced guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in Trinidadian headwater streams. While the researcher is expected to contribute to the development of the mathematical tools, there is considerable freedom to develop their own research questions. The project is co-directed with experts in ecosystem science (Prof. Steven Thomas, Prof. Rana El-Sabaawi, and Dr. Sarah Collins). It forms part of an international network of researchers from France, Canada, USA, and the UK, including collaborations with evolutionary biologists (e.g. Profs. David Reznick, Joseph Travis, and Tim Coulson). The postdoctoral researcher is expected to focus on scientific research and the task may also include teaching within his/her own area of expertise. The duties, qualification requirements and language skills of postdoctoral researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. While the University may grant exemption from some of the requirements, a good command of English is imperative. For this position we will recruit a person with a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, Statistics or related fields. Expertise in statistical and ecological modeling is necessary, including the ability to work with large data sets. Experience in Bayesian methods and the ability to create and optimize R packages are strongly desirable. Experience in ecosystem science, limnology, or food web ecology is not necessary but will be considered an asset. The job-specific salary component of a postdoctoral researcher is based on the job demands level 5-6 (EUR 2865,30-3340,77/month) according to the salary system concerning teaching and research staff at universities. In addition, a personal performance-based salary component amounting to the maximum of 46,3% of the job-specific salary component is also paid. Health care is included. The position may be renewed annually for a maximum of 4 years with an initial trial period of four months. The position is available from September 15th 2016 but the starting date is negotiable. For further information, please contact: Dr. Andrés López-Sepulcre (alo...@biologie.ens.fr, http://ecoevo.pagecloud.com). The application (in English) should include (as pdf files): 1) A brief letter of interest (maximum 2 pages), detailing your research and career goals, qualifications and skills that are applicable to this project. 2) Curriculum vitae (CV) containing a publication list and contact details of two academics available for reference. Application will be open until September 1st 2016. Please submit your application using the online application form at:http://tinyurl.com/jnvlko9
