2-yr postdoc on “Long-term biogeographic build-up of megafauna functional structure worldwide”
Title: Long-term biogeographic build-up of megafauna functional structure worldwide Research Area and Project Description: This postdoc project is part of the big Semper Ardens project “Megafauna ecosystem ecology from the deep prehistory to a human-dominated future” (MegaPast2Future), funded by the Carlsberg Foundation. Given intensifying human impacts, we are now at a crossroads for Earth’s megafauna. Do we let it become lost or do we attempt to restore it and its functional importance? Therefore, there is now rapidly growing interest in understanding the role of megafauna in ecosystems and in providing the scientific basis for megafauna restoration. MegaPast2Future will provide the scientific basis for acting in this critical situation, via a much improved theoretical and empirical basis, covering both basic science and real-world applicability. The postdoc project will contribute to building an integrative paleobiological-ecological understanding of how megafauna functional complexity has built up (notably how predictable this has been [vs. historically contingent], incl. how it has been affected by past climate change) as well as assessing the ecosystem consequences. Methodology: Apply macroecological analyses to the rich fossil record for megafaunas globally, with a focus on functional composition. Qualifications and Specific Competences: Applicants to the postdoc positions must have PhD degree in paleobiology, ecology or evolutionary biology (or equivalent) or have submitted their PhD thesis for assessment before the application deadline. To be recruited for this position solid experience in ecoinformatics and advanced statistical analyses of large paleobiological and/or ecological data sets. Experience with quantitative paleobiology and/or macroecology is expected. The successful candidate should also have strong collaborative skills, proven abilities to publish at a high international level, and have good skills in English and international applicants who do not have English as their first language must document strong English language qualifications. Supervisors and collaborators: Project PI prof. Jens-Christian Svenning will be the main supervisor. The postdoc will join a team working on the long-term build-up of megafauna functional complexity, also including prof. Svenning and a postdoc and a PhD student at Aarhus University, as well as two international collaborators, prof. Felisa A. Smith (US), prof. Chris E. Doughty (Oxford) and postdoc Søren Faurby (Spain), plus – a more general level - other team members from other parts of the MegaPast2Future project. Place of Employment and Place of Work: The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Section of Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity (ECOINF), Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. ECOINF is an ambitious, collaborative and highly international research community. Postdocs and PhD students are encouraged to collaborate within the group, across departments and with other universities. More information about the people and research activities of the group can be found at http://bit.ly/ecoinfAU. Application dead-line: June 15 2016. Starting date: September 1st 2016, but negotiable. Contacts: Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact: Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, phone +45 28992304, e-mail: svenn...@bios.au.dk.
