Position

Post-Doctoral Position in Ecology (University of Bayreuth)

European gradients of resilience in the face of climate extremes.

We are seeking an experienced ecologist (postdoc, equivalent to assistant professor) participating in the new EU Biodiversa Research Project SIGNAL.

Rationale: SIGNAL is a joint experimental research activity across eight European countries combining biodiversity experiments, climate change research, and invasion research. Extreme weather events and the presence of invasive species can act as pressures threatening biodiversity, resilience and ecosystem services of semi-natural grasslands and can suddenly drive them beyond thresholds of system integrity. Yet, biodiversity may buffer against change. Potential stabilising mechanisms include species richness, presence of key species such as legumes and within species diversity. These potential buffers can be promoted by conservation management and political decisions.

Requirements: Applicants should have a PhD in Ecology or related fields and combine strong expertise in experimental field research, statistical data analysis in R and scientific writing in fluent English with team spirit and personal scientific visions. Interest in disturbance and vegetation ecology, in meta-analysis and biogeographical gradients as well as in ecological services is wanted. Duties in SIGNAL coordination and in the science-policy-conservation interface as well as in university teaching will be negotiated according to personal preference. Place of work is Bayreuth, though the applicant will collaborate with international scientists. The position is full or part-time for three years beginning in January 2013. We encourage women to apply and favour applicants with disabilities and equal qualifications. Our research team is family-friendly, enthusiastic, ambitious, young and international.

Applications: A single pdf-file including letter of motivation, research experience, Curriculum Vitae, publication list and names of three referees should be sent by email to Prof. Dr. Anke Jentsch, Disturbance Ecology, University of Bayreuth, Email: anke.jentsch@uni-bayreuth.de until November 5^th 2012.