New Zealands extensive forest ecosystems are unique in never having experienced mammalian herbivores prior to human arrival. In the last 150 years introduced herbivores, particularly rodents, possums and deer, have had major impacts on these ecosystems. Effective management of these impacts requires that we understand these novel plant-herbivore interactions. Recent work in our group has begun to integrate the large amount of existing data on animal population dynamics, herbivore impacts and plant demography in a modelling framework that can accommodate the high degree of spatial and temporal variability in rates of change in animal populations and their subsequent impacts. Our aim is to use existing data to extend this approach and develop innovative models of plant-herbivore interactions that will provide a clear understanding of the impacts of introduced herbivores in these systems, and an effective platform for management decisions.
We seek a person with strong statistical and modelling skills, and possibly a background in plant-herbivore interactions, to join our multidisciplinary team. We are particularly interested in people with experience in hierarchical Bayesian analyses and the application of these approaches to modelling complex ecological data. The successful candidate will collate and analyse data held by Landcare Research and other agencies to estimate demographic parameters for herbivore populations and to quantify the impact of herbivory on forest tree species, including demographic processes such as mortality. We anticipate that this will involve the application of hierarchical Bayesian analysis to accommodate and model spatial and temporal variability in plant-herbivore interactions. Demographic parameters will be used to extend existing plant-herbivore models by allowing for habitat- and site-specific variation as a step towards modelling the impact of herbivory across spatially-variable! forested landscapes. Postdoctoral researcher will present results at relevant conferences and in papers submitted to scientific journals, and will assist in strengthening relationships with key collaborators and clients. The successful candidate will have a PhD in relevant topic, skills and experience in modelling population dynamics and plant-herbivore (or other trophic) interactions, experience in statistical analysis of complex ecological data, and a good publication record. The following attributes are essential: demonstrated initiative and innovative research approach; ability to maintain effective working relationships with a team of scientists; effective oral and written communication skills; and effective organisational and project management skills. This is a full time 2-year position located at the Lincoln office of Landcare research, near Christchurch. Research will be conducted collaboratively with scientists from Landcare Research (Roger Pech, Wendy Ruscoe) and Lincoln University (Richard Duncan). Project funds will support for travel to Australia to facilitate collaboration with scientists at the Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research in Melbourne (Charles Todd, Dave Forsyth). Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research is New Zealand's foremost environmental research organisation, and specialises in the sustainable management of land resources, optimising primary production, enhancing biodiversity, increasing the resource efficiency of businesses, and conserving and restoring the natural assets of our communities. An appropriate salary plus many company benefits, including income protection, death and health insurance, superannuation contributions exceeding Government minimum and contribution towards relocation if recruitment from overseas. Applications close on Friday 1st August 2008. For further information and to apply please go to the Landcare Research website www.landcareresearch.co.nz/jobs. For additional inquiries, please contact Roger Pech: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ WARNING: This email and any attachments may be confidential and/or privileged. They are intended for the addressee only and are not to be read, used, copied or disseminated by anyone receiving them in error. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by return email and delete this message and any attachments. The views expressed in this email are those of the sender and do not necessarily reflect the official views of Landcare Research. http://www.landcareresearch.co.nz ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
