1 Phd-position in Plant Ecology/Biodiversity (Zurich)
Responsibilities /
Research within the "The Jena Experiment"
(<http://www.the-jena-experiment.de>www.the-jena-experiment.de) on
"Intra-annual stability of spatial and temporal niche complementarity
in temperate grasslands" with focus on high temporal and spatial
resolution estimates of niche complementarity using digital imaging
techniques (time-lapse, thermal), phenological trait assessments at
plant species and community levels, as well as spectral, chemical and
isotopic foliar analy-ses. Field work will be carried out in Jena, in
close collaboration with colleagues at the University of Leipzig, but
this Ph.D. position is affiliated with ETH Zurich. Tasks include data
acquisition and analyses of thermo-cameras and pheno-cams, trait
assessments as well as use of phenological models for predicting
community-level ecosystem functions.
Requirements/
Dynamic, reliable and motivated student with M.Sc./Diploma in plant
ecophysiology, ecology, agricultural sciences, remote sensing,
environmental sciences or related disciplines. Strong interest in
process- and system-oriented research. Experiences and skills in
working with digital imaging techniques, large data sets as well as
technical skills for field work are highly beneficial. Driving
license is required. Teamwork within group and with project partners
requires English and German language skills.
/Additional benefits/
The research will be carried out within a 3-year project, starting as
soon as possible. We offer an interesting position in an
international, interdisciplinary research group
(<http://www.gl.ethz.ch>www.gl.ethz.ch) in a lively uni-versity
environment in Zurich as well as international working experiences.
Salary and social benefits are provided according to ETH Zurich rules.
/Application/
Please upload your complete application (CV, transcripts, letter of
motivation) on <http://www.pa.ethz.ch>www.pa.ethz.ch. Evaluation
procedure will start _June 1st_, applications will be reviewed until
the position is filled.
Further information can be obtained from Mrs. N. Staubli
(<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]).
*Information about the Jena Experiment*
The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) and the Swiss National
Science Foundation (SNF) fund a large-scale grassland project "The
Jena Experiment"
(<http://www.the-jena-experiment.de>www.the-jena-experiment.de) on
the relationship between Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning
(Grant FOR 1451). On a 10ha field site in Jena, more than 470
grassland plots have been established where plant diversity is
manipulated to measure the effect of diversity on multi-trophic
interactions and nutrient cycling.
The project is an international collaborative research effort of 11
universities and research institutes in Germany, three universities
in Switzerland, two in The Netherlands as well as universities and
research institutes in Austria, France and Canada. All Ph.D.-students
will benefit from an already existing experimental set up and the
interaction with other PhDs and researchers in an international
research team. The ability to speak and write German will be
appreciated but is not indispensable for candidates fluent in
English. Ph.D.-students will be based at the university advertising
the position but all field work will be conducted in Jena, Germany. A
full description of the project and more details about the positions
can be found under:
<http://www.the-jena-experiment.de>www.the-jena-experiment.de
