Two PhD positions in plant invasion biology at the University of Bern, Switzerland
We are seeking two PhD students highly motivated to work on determinants of plant invasiveness. The work will involve experimental assessment of establishment success of horticultural species, and comparative multi-species experiments to assess the life-history traits and extrinsic factors associated with establishment success. Ideally, the candidates for these two positions should have a background in experimental ecology and basic knowledge of statistical methods (including generalized linear models). The positions will be with Dr Mark van Kleunen and Prof. Dr Markus Fischer in the Plant Ecology group at the Institute of Plant Sciences of the University of Bern (http://www.botany.unibe.ch/planteco/index.php), Switzerland. We offer a stimulating research environment in a beautiful city close to the Alps. In addition to projects on invasive plants, our group is involved in projects on evolutionary and molecular plant ecology, plant population biology and community ecology. The positions are funded by the Swiss Science Foundation (NSF-NRF for a period of three years starting on January 1, 2008. Salaries rise from CHF 34 200 in the first year to CHF 40 200 in the third year. Requirements for the positions include a Masters degree (or equivalent) in biology, a drivers license, fluency in German and English and good collaboration skills. Applicants should e-mail a letter of application, a curriculum vitae and contact details of two references to Mark van Kleunen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the letter of application, the applicant should motivate why she or he wants to do a PhD and why she or he wants to work on plant invasions. The applicant should also present details on her or his experimental and statistical skills. The application deadline is October 1, 2007. For more information on these positions, the project and research in our lab contact Mark van Kleunen at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Mark van Kleunen Institute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Altenbergrain 21 3013 Bern Switzerland Phone Tel. +41 31 631 49 23 Fax +41 31 631 49 42 e-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED]
