The Animal Ecology group in the Institute of Landscape Ecology at the
University of Münster, Germany, invites applications for a
*
PhD position
(salary level TV-L E13, 65%)
in the area of molecular ecology, insect ecology or multitrophic
interaction ecology in a salt marsh ecosystem
*
This fixed-term position is available for a three-year period starting
from 1 January 2019. The research will be conducted as part of the
DFG-funded project “Spatial community ecology in highly dynamic
landscapes: from island biogeography to metaecosystems” (DynaCom) within
the subproject “Trait-based terrestrial consumer metacommunities”. For
project information, see https://idw-online.de/en/news698868.
In coastal ecosystems, invertebrate consumer communities are strongly
shaped by colonization and extinction dynamics that are driven by
species’ traits such as body size, mobility or trophic position. The
successful applicant will (i) study the structure of aboveground
arthropod communities and their spatiotemporal dynamics in salt marsh
ecosystems, (ii) determine the trophic structure of salt marsh arthropod
communities using molecular analysis of gut contents and other suitable
methods and (iii) assess traits driving extinction/emigration and
colonization processes.
Applicants should have a graduate academic university degree (master’s
degree or equivalent) in a natural science with a background in
(molecular) ecology, biodiversity, entomology or related disciplines.
Applicants experienced in analytical chemistry, applied physics or
biochemistry with a proven interest in ecology and field work are
encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong interest to work on
an interdisciplinary team and must have excellent knowledge of English.
Knowledge of the statistics software package R is a further prerequisite.
The University of Münster is an equal opportunity employer and is
committed to increasing the proportion of women in academics.
Consequently, we actively encourage applications by women. Female
candidates with equivalent qualifications and academic achievements will
be preferentially considered within the framework of the legal
possibilities. We also welcome applications from candidates with severe
disabilities. Disabled candidates with equivalent qualifications will be
preferentially considered, although some restrictions due to necessary
agricultural field work may apply.
Applications should be written in English and compiled into a single PDF
file. The application should include a cover letter (including the date
on which the applicant could start), curriculum vitae, publication list,
copies of university degrees, the names and email addresses of at least
two academic referees, as well as a brief (max. one page) statement
about past and future research interests.
Application material should be submitted no later than*30 September
2018* as a single PDF file (file name: Surname_Name.pdf) attached to a
single email with the subject line “PhD in salt marsh insect ecology” to
scher...@wwu.de <mailto:scher...@wwu.de>.
For any questions please contact:
Prof Dr Christoph Scherber
Institute of Landscape Ecology
Heisenbergstr. 2
48149 Münster
Germany
Email:scher...@wwu.de <mailto:%20scher...@wwu.de>
