Dear all --- Sorry for cross posting ---
The below position is re-posted due to recent withdrawal of a candidate. Please apply as soon as possible, *review of applications starts immediately*. Thank you. ---------------- Postdoc in Canopy Arthropod Ecology for 3 years available at University of Rennes 1, France (highly qualified MScs are invited to send a statement of interest). Arthropods in the canopy represent one of the highly diverse, most widespread, and least studied communities in temperate regions. In the present project we will study the role of atmospheric stress (desiccation, NH3 imissions) and island biogeographic processes (colonization,, extinction) on arthropod biodiversity. We thus envision the canopy as an archipelago of tree crown islands in a sea or air. We will study diversity at species level, but also at a historical, i.e. phylogenetic level. We will also explore consequences of the diversity of arthropods for their functional role, particularly as grazers and dispersers of cryptogams. Approaches include detailed observational studies, as well as transplant and exclusion experiments with arthropod communities in cryptogams. Canopy access will be ensured flexibly by cherry pickers and climbers. Up to date spatial statistical procedures will be applied. The external and internal collaboration may permit possible additional sideline studies on geno- or phenotypic differentiation of populations, tritrophic interactions, arthropod / cryptogam interactions, or habitat-use behavior. The host institution is the Research Unit Ecosystems, Biodiversity, Evolution, co-funded by University of Rennes 1 and Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, harboring 58 researchers and docents. Several further research institutions in ecology and evolutionary biology exist at Rennes. Rennes has approximately 200 000 inhabitants and is the capitol of the Bretagne region with exceptional coastal and mainland landscapes, and a french-celtic heritage (http://www.region- bretagne.fr/CRB/Public/rubriques_thematique/visiter_la_bretagne/la_bretagne_ une_reg/la_bretagne_en_image/). English is spoken everywhere in Academia, but not necessarily outside. The project is for 35 months, pending approval of the intermediate report after 1.5 years. Salary is approximately 1450-1500 Euros / month net (1 Euro = 1.23 Dollars, many 2 bedroom apartments are available at 400 500 Euros / month, all inclusive), additional funds might become available. For an entire family this salary is at the limit, but families of foreign scientists receive full family aids by the state (around 200 Euros per month) and child care is extremely well organized and cheap in France. Moreover spouses of scientists receive a special visa and a work permit (if the scientist is member of the European Union, a non-European spouse can even work without further visa, permit etc.) The candidate should ideally contribute (1) Taxonomic expert knowledge on a major group of mesofauna (Collembola, oribat mites, Psocoptera) or of phytophages (aphids, Heteroptera, Curculionids, Lepidoptera etc.). Lack in determination knowledge is however not prohibitive, as parts of the determination work will be delegated and others can be learned. (2) A certain robustness for fieldwork, and a driving license. Climbing capabilities would be an important plus. (3) Methodological experience in designing both complex observational studies, as well as field experiments. (4) Experience in the appropriate statistics to analyze the results (spatially explicit, multivariate ..). (5) Experience in communicating research to the scientific public, focusing on conceptual advance rather than accumulation of details. Documented by a strong publication list. (6) A PhD or equivalent. Please rapidly send applications, including CV, publication list, and major publications (if available also addresses of referees and statement of research interests) by email to Andreas Prinzing ([EMAIL PROTECTED] rennes1.fr). Please contact me if you have any questions. ____________________________________________ Andreas Prinzing, Prof. Université de Rennes 1 Unité Mixte de Recherche CNRS 6553 « Ecobio » : Ecosystèmes - Biodiversité - Evolution Campus de Beaulieu, Bâtiment 14A 263 Avenue du Général Leclerc 35042 Rennes Cedex, France Tel : +33 2 23 23 67 12; fax: +33 2 23 23 50 26 [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://ecobio.univ-rennes1.fr/Fiches_perso/Fiche.asp?pseudo=APrinzing http://ecobio.univ-rennes1.fr/Fiches_perso/Banque/publi1_APrinzing.doc
