[ECOLOG-L] Postdoc in Biodiversity Synthesis in Bern, Switzerland
Postdoc in Biodiversity Synthesis, University of Bern Applications are invited for a two year, postdoc position conducting ecological synthesis in the Biodiversity Exploratories (http://www.biodiversity-exploratories.de). The postdoc will join the group of Prof. Eric Allan and will collaborate closely with synthesis postdocs in the group of Prof. Markus Fischer, both at the University of Bern in Switzerland. The Biodiversity Exploratories project involves collaboration between over 50 research groups and examines relationships between environmental change (land-use intensification), biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in forests and grasslands. It has generated uniquely comprehensive biodiversity and ecosystem function datasets: including detailed land-use data, diversity data from a wide range of groups, such as bacteria, fungi, arthropods, plants and vertebrates, and data on many different ecosystem services. The synthesis project uses these data for combined analyses and therefore aims to create synergies between the different research groups, thereby providing added value for the whole project. We are seeking highly motivated applicants interested in the causes and consequences of biodiversity change, community ecology and/or ecosystem service research. As well as conducting synthesis analyses, applicants are expected to interact frequently with members of the Biodiversity Exploratories community and to organise workshops and teaching courses. Applicants should have a PhD in ecology, or related discipline, and strong analytical skills, including familiarity with advanced statistical techniques and manipulation of large datasets (preferably using R). The positions will be based at the Institute of Plant Sciences in Bern, which offers a stimulating, international research environment and excellent facilities (http://www.ips.unibe.ch). Bern is also a beautiful city with a high quality of life. Please send your application by email (as a single PDF by email) to eric.al...@ips.unibe.ch. Applications should include a CV, names and addresses of two references, a one page description of your research interests and a list of publications. Applications will be reviewed from 25th November 2018 until the position is filled. For queries on the application process or more information on these positions, please contact Prof. Eric Allan eric.al...@ips.unibe.ch
[ECOLOG-L] Two PhD positions in Bern, Switzerland
Two PhD positions in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning and multitrophic interactions at the University of Bern Applications are invited for two, PhD positions working with Prof. Eric Allan, at the University of Bern in Switzerland. Nitrogen enrichment is a key global change driver in grasslands which impacts ecosystem functioning through a range of direct and indirect effects. The project aims to experimentally disentangle some of these mechanisms, including looking at effects of biodiversity loss alongside changes in plant functional composition and foliar fungal pathogen abundance. We also aim to test the effects of global change on pathogen communities, theories about when pathogens have their largest top down effects on plant communities and to explore the host range of fungal pathogens with further experiments. The two PhD students will set up, and work on, a large grassland field experiment near the city of Bern. One PhD student will focus more on ecosystem functioning (including quantifying measures of nitrogen and carbon cycling and litter decomposition) and the other on responses and effects of pathogens. We are seeking highly motivated applicants interested in biodiversity-ecosystem functioning, plant community ecology and multitrophic interactions. Applicants must hold (or shortly complete) a Master degree or equivalent in biology or another relevant discipline, with a good background in ecology. Some previous research experience in ecology and good statistical knowledge are desirable. Strong oral and written communication skills in English are required. The positions will be based at the Institute of Plant Sciences in Bern, which offers a stimulating, international research environment and excellent facilities (www.botany.unibe.ch/planteco). Bern is also a beautiful city with a high quality of life. Please send your application by email (as a single PDF) to eric.al...@ips.unibe.ch. Applications should include a CV, names and addresses of two references and a one page cover letter outlining your motivation for the position and research interests. Applications will be reviewed from 26th June 2015 until the position is filled. The expected start date is 1st September 2015. For queries on the application process or more information on these positions, please contact Prof. Eric Allan eric.al...@ips.unibe.ch
[ECOLOG-L] PhD in Switzerland on local adaptation in trees
We are offering a PhD position to work on local adaptation to climate in trees, as part of the EU project FunDiv http://www.fundiveurope.eu/. This project looks at the functional importance of biodiversity in European forests. As part of this project a network of sites has been set up in six countries: Finland, Poland, Germany, Romania, Spain and Italy. The subproject led by the University of Bern looks at local adaptation to climate in a different dominant tree species in each of these countries. The aim is to assess the degree of local adaptation in these trees, to the magnitude of climate change that they will experience over the next 50 years. The project will also investigate interactions between forest biodiversity and the expression of local adaptation. To accomplish this, seedlings from 5 different climatic provenances per country have already been planted in the forest plots at each site. The announced PhD project will be responsible for measuring the performance of the tree seedlings in the field at each of the sites and offers the opportunity for some additional experiments. As well as possible collaborations within the Institute of Plant Sciences in Bern there will be opportunities for collaborations with other groups in the FunDiv project. We are looking for an ambitious and creative student with a keen interest in ecology and evolution. The applicant must have a university degree in a relevant field of biology and a good command of English. The applicant should be prepared to work in the field and to travel quite extensively to all of the European study sites. The position is for 3 years and the student will be supervised by Markus Fischer at the Plant Sciences Institute at the University of Bern. The institute offers a stimulating international research environment and excellent facilities. In addition to projects on plant biodiversity, our group is involved in projects on evolutionary and molecular plant ecology, functional forest biodiversity in China, plant population biology, Alpine ecology and invasion biology. www.botany.unibe.ch/planteco. Bern is a beautiful city with a high quality of life. Preferred starting date is January 1, 2013 (negotiable). Salary will be approximately 40, 000 CHF/year. Contact Eric Allan (eric.al...@ips.unibe.ch) for more info. Please send your application (preferably one PDF by email) to eric.al...@ips.unibe.ch Include a CV, names and addresses of at least 2 references, a short description of your research interests and your experience of ecological field work and statistical analysis. Applications will be reviewed from 15th October 2012 until the position is filled.
