[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in Tree Ecophysiology
PhD position in Tree Ecophysiology A joint PhD position is available to start on January 1, 2019 at the Chair of Ecophysiology and Vegetation Ecology of the Julius-von-Sachs-Institute for Biosciences, University of Würzburg, Germany (https://www.biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de/bot2/startseite/) and the Ecosystem Modelling Group of the Center for Computational and Theoretical Biology (CCTB), University of Würzburg, Germany (https://www.biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de/cctb/research/ecosystemmodeling/). The salary will be paid according to TV-L (50% position) for the duration of three years. Project description: Given impeding climate warming and the increase in frequency and intensity of heat waves in Central Europe, identification of tree species that can cope with these environmental pressures and understanding how they respond to drought-stress are of great importance. Although several tree physiological attributes are related to drought-stress resistance and survival after severe heat, recent studies highlight the importance of plant hydraulic traits for predicting drought-induced tree mortality and their potential to forecast species’ distribution in a changing climate. However, most plant hydraulic traits are labour-intense, hindering the compilation of large global datasets needed for the systematic inclusion of tree species in predictive mechanistic models. To fill this gap, a set of plant functional traits related to drought survival will be measured for 50 native and non-native temperate broad-leaved tree species, including structural, hydraulic, anatomical, and foliar traits. The PhD candidate will characterize the drought-stress resistance of these species and search for tradeoffs between vascular, hydraulic and foliar traits. These ecophysiological traits will be used to calibrate already available structurally-realistic ecophysiological models for tree growth and structural traits will be used to validate model assumptions on trait trade-offs and trait syndromes. The PhD candidate will then use the calibrated model to identify what traits or trait syndromes jointly co-evolved and to forecast tree performance under future climate scenarios. Requirements: Applicants should hold a master or diploma degree in biology, forestry, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. Candidates with field and laboratory research experience in plant hydraulic and/or wood anatomical measurements are preferred. Advanced command of English and the ability to write scientific manuscripts is essential. Basic knowledge in mechanistic modelling and scientific programming (e.g. GIS, R, C++) is a plus. We are looking for an outstanding and highly motivated candidate, who is team-oriented and willing to learn and work independently and precisely. The University of Würzburg is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for female scientists and scholars. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude for the position will be favoured. Application: Applications including a letter of motivation, research experience, CV with degree certificates and grades, and copies of publications if available should be sent by October 10, 2018 as single pdf-document to Prof. Dr. Bernhard Schuldt (bernhard.schu...@uni-wuerzburg.de) and Prof. Dr. Juliano Sarmento Cabral (juliano.sarmento_cab...@uni-wuerzburg.de).
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in modelling biodiversity dynamics under environmental change
Dear colleagues, In the scope of the interdisciplinary research project 'Blick in die Zukunft (BLIZ)' focused on the interplay between society, landuse, ecosystem services and biodiversity in Bavaria until 2100, funded by the Bavarian Climate Research Network (bayklif) of the Bavarian State Ministry, we seek applications for a: PhD position in modelling biodiversity dynamics under environmental change (60%, limited for 36 months) Your profile: - Full university degree (Diploma/M.Sc.) in biology, geo-ecology, environmental science or a related discipline - Sound knowledge in mechanistic modelling and scientific programming (e.g. Matlab, R, C++) is required - Ability to write scientific manuscripts, communicate concepts and results in fluent English - Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team Tasks: You will be a team member of the recently started interdisciplinary research project BLIZ. Together with partners from the TUM, University of Regensburg and FAU Erlangen, you investigate the dynamics of freshwater biodiversity. The project will focus on the spatiotemporal dynamics of populations and communities of freshwater plants in Bavarian lakes. Initial study systems will be the Iffeldorfer lakes and model development as well as ecophysiological calibration will be done in close collaboration with partners in the Limnological Station Iffeldorf (TUM; www.fisch.wzw.tum.de/). With the model, you will investigate the feedbacks between freshwater biodiversity and socio-economic systems (land-use change) in a changing climate and their uncertainties. The main goal of the project is to develop adaptation strategies to maintain sustainable ecological systems and to avoid tipping points. Specific tasks of the PhD position are (1) to develop and apply process-based models for freshwater macrophytes at the local scale (e.g. lake), (2) to simulate impacts of land-use and climate change on important native macrophyte species and relevant invasive species, and (3) to evaluate potential risks for biodiversity and develop sustainable management strategies. The doctoral thesis will be done as a series of English manuscripts. Our offer: - Stimulating working environment and an interdisciplinary research team - A salary in accordance to the position will be limited to 36 months - JMU is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities are treated with preference given comparable qualification. Contact: - Please send your application, including a cover letter with motivation, a short summary of research interests, detailed CV, complete certificates, and the names (with email addresses) of two potential referees, as soon as possible (latest by July 25, 2018) in the form of a single pdf-file to Prof. Juliano Sarmento Cabral (juliano.sarmento_cab...@uni-wuerzburg.de) - Appointment date is as soon as possible - For further inquiries, please contact directly Prof. Juliano Sarmento Cabral - For more information: http://www.cctb.uni-wuerzburg.de/research/ecosystem-modeling/opportunities-open-positions/ http://bayklif-bliz.de/sub-projects/sub-project-2-biodiversity-tipping-points-in-climate-and-land-use-change/ Best regards and please forward to anybody that might be interested, Juliano Juniorprof. Dr. Juliano Sarmento Cabral Ecosystem Modeling, Center for Computation and Theoretical Biology (CCTB) University of Wuerzburg Am Hubland, Building 32 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany
[ECOLOG-L] PhD position in macrophyte dynamics
Dear colleagues, In the scope of the interdisciplinary research project 'Blick in die Zukunft (BLIZ)' focused on the interplay between society, landuse, ecosystem services and biodiversity in Bavaria until 2100, funded by the Bavarian Climate Research Network (bayklif) of the Bavarian State Ministry, we seek applications for a: PhD position in ecosystem modelling (60%, limited for 36 months) Your profile: - Full university degree (Diploma/M.Sc.) in biology, geo-ecology, environmental science or a related discipline - Sound knowledge in mechanistic modelling and scientific programming (e.g. R, C++) is required - Ability to write scientific manuscripts, communicate concepts and results in fluent English - Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team Tasks: You will be a team member of the recently started interdisciplinary research project 'BLIZ'. Together with partners from the TUM, University of Regensburg and FAU Erlangen, you investigate the dynamics of freshwater biodiversity. The project will focus on the spatiotemporal dynamics of macrophyte populations and communities in freshwater lakes in Bavaria. Initial study systems will be the Iffeldorfer lakes and model development as well as calibration will be done in close collaboration with partners in the Limnological Station Iffeldorf (TUM; www.fisch.wzw.tum.de/). With the model, you will investigate the feedbacks between freshwater biodiversity and socio-economic systems (land-use change) in a changing climate and their uncertainties. The main goal of the project is to develop adaptation strategies to maintain sustainable ecological systems and to avoid tipping points. Specific tasks of the PhD position are (1) to develop and apply process-based models for freshwater macrophytes at the local scale (e.g. lake), (2) to simulate impacts of land-use and climate change on important native macrophyte species and relevant invasive species, and (3) to evaluate potential risks for biodiversity and develop sustainable management strategies. The doctoral thesis will be done as a series of English manuscripts. Our offer: - Stimulating working environment and an interdisciplinary research team - A salary in accordance to the position will be limited to 36 months - JMU is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women are therefore particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities are treated with preference given comparable qualification. Contact: - Please send your application, including a cover letter, a short summary of research interests, detailed CV, complete certificates, and the names (with email addresses) of two potential referees, as soon as possible (latest by June 18, 2018) in the form of a single pdf-file to Prof. Juliano Sarmento Cabral (juliano.sarmento_cab...@uni-wuerzburg.de) - Appointment date is as soon as possible - For further inquiries, please contact directly Prof. Juliano Sarmento Cabral - For more information: http://www.cctb.uni-wuerzburg.de/research/ecosystem-modeling/opportunities-open-positions/ Best regards and please forward to anybody that might be interested, Juliano Juniorprof. Dr. Juliano Sarmento Cabral Ecosystem Modeling, Center for Computation and Theoretical Biology (CCTB) University of Wuerzburg Am Hubland, Building 32 97074 Wuerzburg, Germany Tel: +49 - 931 - 31 - 82667 E-mail: juliano.sarmento_cab...@uni-wuerzburg.de Webpage: http://www.cctb.uni-wuerzburg.de/groups/ecological_modeling_sarmento_cabral/people/juliano_sarmento_cabral/
[ECOLOG-L] Call for apply to 4yr PhD fellowships to work in our Zosterops speciation genomics and modeling project
Dear colleagues and friends, please advertise to potential interested candidates a PhD project about speciation in rapidly changing environments using the 'great speciator' bird genus Zosterops in East Africa as model system. In this project (based at the Terrestrial Ecology Unit, Uni Ghent with Dr. Jan Engler and Prof. Luc Lens) we have a genomics (together with Prof. Alex Suh, Uppsala) and a modelling (together with Prof. Juliano Cabral, Würzburg) component in which we want to understand the effect of interactions of highland-lowland lineages and the role of introgression in the wake of sudden environmental changes, and how this alters the trajectory of speciation in these iconic birds. We seek a PhD candidate to apply for a 4yr PhD fellowship and who has a strong background in coding and a keen interest in avian genomics, mechanistic modelling and eco-evolutionary dynamics. For further information, see the project's webpage: http://www.ecology.ugent.be/terec/research.php?page=project=FWO2017b We would be pleased if you could spread this mail through your networks :) all the best, Jan, Luc, Alex and Juliano
