The Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) is the largest freshwater ecology institute in Germany (www.igb-berlin.de<http://www.igb-berlin.de>). It is part of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. (FVB), the Leibniz Association (www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en<http://www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/en>), and the Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (www.bbib.org<http://www.bbib.org>). Joint professorships link IGB to Berlin's three universities and the University of Potsdam. IGB provides excellent laboratory and field facilities as well as long-term research programs and data sets. We invite applications for a Postdoc in Aquatic Food-web and Ecosystem Modelling as part of a collaborative project addressing ecological effects of light pollution on lakes. The focus is on skyglow and lake dimming by coloured DOC, two emerging features of global change that may disrupt ecological relationships, with skyglow never before experienced in evolutionary history. The successful candidates will join an international team of 20 senior scientists, postdocs and PhD students involved in planning, conducting and analysing experiments at IGB's LakeLab, a unique large-scale infrastructure to study impacts of global environmental change in realistic conditions (www.lake-lab.de<http://www.lake-lab.de>). Light influences lake ecosystems at various levels, from direct effects on primary production to indirect effects caused by changes in mixing patterns and temperature regimes as well as behavioural responses of zooplankton and fish. Therefore, an integrative modelling approach is needed to investigate how changes in light regimes will impact community dynamics and energy flow. Thus, the project aims at developing a conceptual framework and mathematical models describing direct and indirect effects of skyglow and lake dimming by DOC on plankton community structure and energy flow through both the standard grazing food chain and the microbial loop. We are seeking to recruit a dedicated postdoc with demonstrated expertise in ecological modelling. The ideal candidate has a strong mathematical background and a solid understanding of ecological concepts, combining experience in aquatic food-web and/or ecosystem modelling with an interest in confronting ecological theory and models with experimental data. Research experience in trophic relationships and the general ecology of pelagic ecosystems is particularly useful, although not a strict requirement. Funding for the position is currently available for 2 years. An extension is possible, depending on performance and funding. Salary is according to the standard rates of German federal government employees. This includes full fringe benefits. The position is primarily based at IGB's Department of Experimental Limnology located on Lake Stechlin 80 km north of Berlin. However, effective exchange with the project partners requires regular stays in Berlin. Please upload your complete application (CV, motivation letter, statement of research interests, copies of qualification documents, list of published or submitted papers, contact details of 3 references) at http://www.igb-berlin.de/job-offers.html. Review of applications will start shortly and will continue until the position has been filled. However, applications are best received by 20 February 2016 for full consideration. The starting date is anticipated in spring 2016. For further enquiries, please contact Franz Hölker ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>) or Mark Gessner ([email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>). The IGB and FVB are equal opportunity employers and specifically welcome applications by female candidates. Preference will be given to applicants with disabilities when qualifications are equivalent.
Dr. Mark O. Gessner Professor of Aquatic Sciences Department of Experimental Limnology Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) Alte Fischerhuette 2, 16775 Stechlin, Germany Department of Ecology, Berlin Institute of Technology (TU Berlin) Ernst-Reuter-Platz 1, 10587 Berlin, Germany Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB) 14195 Berlin, Germany Phone: +49 33082 6990 Fax: +49 33082 69917 Email: [email protected]<blocked::mailto:[email protected]>
