The Functional Plant-Biogeography working group (Institute for Physical
Geography, J-W Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany) seeks applicants
for a PhD fellowship to contribute to a DFG-supported project on the leaf
phenology of an African savanna ecosystem.
This project is embedded in a broader project that seeks to understand
interactions between grasses and trees in savannas and how these interactions
may change as atmospheric conditions change. This specific project will
involve collecting leaf-level gas-exchange data and high resolution multi-
spectral imagery. These data will be used to develop, parameterise and test
models of growing season length. Field work will be based in Skukuza (Kruger
National Park, South Africa).
The successful applicant will hold an MSc-degree or equivalent in the natural
sciences or engineering and have an interest and, preferably, experience in
plant ecology and ecophysiology. An aptitude for environmental instrumentation
(e.g. leaf gas-exchange systems, data-logger programming), data analysis (E.g.,
image processing, hierarchical Bayesian statistics) and dynamic vegetation
modelling (using e.g. Fortran, C++) is expected. Further requirements include
good skills in spoken and written English and, for non-German speakers, a
willingness to learn German.
The position is available as of 1 March 2011. Funding is for 36 months and
the salary follows the (BAT IIa/E13) salary scale. The position is
based in Frankurt.
Interested applicants should submit by email (PDF-files) a CV, an abstract
of your diploma/masters project, a brief description of scientific
interests and
the contact details of two references to Prof. Steven Higgins ([email protected]
frankfurt.de). Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
Steven Higgins
Institut fuer Physische Geographie
Goethe Universitat Frankfurt am Main
Altenhoferallee 1
60438 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: ++49 (0)69 798-40171
Fax: ++49 (0)69 798-40169
http://www.geo.uni-frankfurt.de/ipg/ag/hi
