Two positions in insect ecology and functional biodiversity research: herbivore–plant interactions and dung beetles
Within the research program “Exploratories for large-scale and long-term functional biodiversity”, funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), we seek highly motivated candidates to conduct research projects on land-use effects on insect-plant interactions and on dung beetles. The projects will focus on three Exploratories, being located in different regions of Germany. The general goal is to understand the relationship between land-use intensity, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning (see http://www.biodiversity-exploratories.de<http://www.biodiversity-exploratories.de/>). Two positions will be available, pending final approval of funding by the DFG: 2 Ph.D. (or postdoctoral) positions (TV-TL13 65%) (1) One candidate will focus on the nutritional ecology of insect herbivores in grasslands of variable land use. He/she will collect and identify grasshoppers and other selected herbivores in pastures and meadows, perform feeding experiments and measure performance in response to host plant fertilization and conduct stoichiometric measurements of nutrient composition or defensive compounds. This project will be performed in collaboration with PD Dr. Karsten Mody (TU Darmstadt) and with PD Dr. Till Kleinebecker (Uni Münster) who will supervise a second Ph.D. student focusing on plant and herbivore stoichiometry. (2) The other candidate will focus on land use effects on dung beetle communities and their ecosystem services in forests and grasslands. He / she will trap dung beetles with different types of mammalian dung, investigate dung removal rates and measure dung volatile emissions and nutrient composition. This is a joint project with Prof. Dr. Thomas Schmitt (Uni Würzburg) and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Assmann (Uni Lüneburg). For both projects, the candidates will need to perform very extensive fieldwork in all three regions. They will be responsible for the identification of insects in collaboration with taxonomic experts. Both positions will be based in the "Ecological Networks" lab in the faculty of Biology at the TU Darmstadt and supervised by Prof. Dr. Nico Blüthgen. In addition to the working group, the Biodiversity Exploratories offer excellent pre-conditions including interdisciplinary exchange, training workshops on joint data analyses and writing publications. The positions will preferentially start in March 2014 for the duration of three years. Successful candidates should have experience in conducting fieldwork and a sound knowledge in ecology, entomology and statistical analysis. A Diplom/M.Sc. degree in Biology or a related subject will be required. While the position will be based at the TU Darmstadt, we expect that the candidates will spend large parts of the season at the Exploratories and travel between sites. Driving licence is required and having available an own car is useful. We expect the candidate to have good communication skills, some German language proficiency, writing skills in English and the ability to work in a team. Applications should include a cover letter, C.V., list of publications, a short statement of previous and current research interests, an Abstract of the Bachelor, Master and/or Diploma thesis and names and email-addresses of two or three references. Please indicate your preference for “herbivores” or “dung beetles”, or both, in your cover letter. The closing date for applications will be 5 January 2014. (Later applications may be accepted until the positions are filled.) Interviews will take place early February. Applications are welcome in German or English, and should be sent electronically by e-mail (preferably combined to a single pdf-file). We especially encourage women to apply. Physically handicapped persons will be given preference in case of equal qualifications. Further information can be found here: http://www.bio.tu-darmstadt.de/econetworks Please send your application by email to Christin Wurmitzer: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> who will confirm the receipt of your email. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Nico Blüthgen Ecological Networks, Biology, Technische Universität Darmstadt Schnittspahnstr. 3, 64287 Darmstadt Germany
