Postdoc opportunity at iDiv attached, on behalf of Nadja Ruger. Project:
“/Beyond the growth-survival trade-off: A global analysis of demographic
diversity and trade-offs in species-rich forests /“. Deadline: Jan 1st
2017.
Project:
Life-history theory posits that organisms face allocation trade-offs
underlying different
demographic processes (growth, survival, reproduction). The PostDoc will
develop a holistic
understanding of the trade-offs between demographic rates that constrain
the range of viable tree
life-history strategies (demographic diversity) in species-rich forests
differing in climate,
disturbance regime and floristic composition. To achieve this goal, the
PostDoc will combine
inventory data from a global network of forest plots covering all three
aspects of demography
across all size classes with novel statistical methods (Bayesian models,
weighted PCA) that account
for uncertainty of demographic information for rare species. S/he will
quantify the contribution of
different trade-offs to demographic diversity and test predictions of
several proposed hypotheses.
S/he will also identify how demographic trade-offs are constrained by
functional traits of the
species.
Environment:
The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-
Jena-Leipzig has for central
mission to promote theory-driven synthesis and data-driven theory in
integrative biodiversity
research. The concept of iDiv encompasses the detection of biodiversity,
understanding its
emergence, exploring its consequences for ecosystem functions and
services, and developing
strategies to safeguard biodiversity under global change. The consortium
is highly
interdisciplinary and offers a unique opportunity to develop a
transdisciplinary curriculum with
emphasis on the ubiquity of biodiversity. The members of the consortium
are spread over Germany, in
majority from Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Friedrich
Schiller University Jena
(FSU), Leipzig University (UL) and the Helmholtz Centre for
Environmental Research (UFZ).
Qualification and position:
Due to the integrative nature of iDiv, motivated scientists from all
backgrounds are welcome to
apply. Knowledge in German is not a prerequisite but good command of
English is necessary.
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree at the start of contract.
Candidates with experience in
plant demographics and/or strong quantitative skills (statistics,
programming) are particularly
encouraged to apply.
Applications are only accepted via our application portal under
apply.idiv.de mentioning the
research project number. Candidates will upload a letter of motivation
tailored to the research
project, a curriculum vitae including names and contact details of at
least two scientific
references, the digital copy of the highest academic degree (e.g.
master’s), and the recommendation
letters from two scientific references. The deadline for application
submission is 01 January 2017.
Selected candidates will be invited for an interview in Leipzig in
February, 2017. For queries on
the application process, please contact [email protected].
The contract is for two years with potential extension. The salary is in
accordance with the German
public service salary scale (TV-L E 13, 100% of a full time employment).
Specifics:
Title of the postdoctoral project: Beyond the growth-survival trade-off:
A global analysis of
demographic diversity and trade-offs in species-rich forests; 34600515#11.
Supervisors and collaborators: Dr. Nadja Rüger, Prof. Dr. Christian
Wirth, Prof. Dr. Helge
Bruelheide, Prof. Dr. Stanley Harpole, Dr. Stuart S. Davies, Dr. Joseph
Wright.
Lab website:
https://www.idiv.de/research/idiv_core_groups/niche_detector_for_hyp
erdiverse_tropical_forests.html
Work location: Leipzig, Germany.
Contract conditions: Two-year contract. Salary TV-L E13 in accordance
with the German public
service salary scale. 100% of a full time employment.
Application: Motivation letter of up to 2 pages + CV + digital copy of
highest degree + two letters
of recommendation by senior scientists + proofs of English language
knowledge.
To apply, create an account and login on this link and specify the
position number 34600515#11.
For questions about the research project, contact: [email protected]
For queries about the
application process, please contact [email protected]
Severely disabled persons are encouraged to apply and will be given
preference in the case of equal
suitability.
