Postdoctoral Associate (Community Assembly and the Functioning of Ecosystems; CAFE)—German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig
As part of an ongoing initiative within iDiv, we are searching for a postdoctoral associate to participate in a cutting-edge research program at the interface between processes that maintain biodiversity and influence its variation (e.g., community assembly, environmental gradients) and the influence of biodiversity on the functioning of ecosystems (e.g., biomass, multifunctionality). Rather than treating biodiversity as either a dependent variable (as in environment-diversity relationships), or an independent variable (as in biodiversity-ecosystem function experiments), we are interested in developing a more realistic, but necessarily more complex, framework for studying the interplay between community assembly and the functioning of ecosystems across scales (which we call the CAFE perspective; see e.g., Leibold, Chase and Ernest. 2017. Ecology 98: 909-919). The postdoctoral associate will build upon tools and techniques being used at iDiv and within sDiv, the synthesis center of iDiv, including, but not limited to, Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and novel applications of the Price Equation. Data to address these questions will come from a number of platforms affiliated with iDiv, including the Jena Experiment, the Global Change Experimental Facility (GCEF), NutNet, and others; the successful candidate is also welcome to bring any other data sources to bear that could be used to address these questions. The position will be directly supervised by Jonathan Chase (iDiv/MLU), but will work closely with Stan Harpole (iDiv/UFZ), Harald Auge (UFZ), and Christiane Roscher (iDiv/UFZ), and several others. The incumbent will be encouraged to develop further collaborations both within and outside of the iDiv consortium and to participate in working groups related to the overall research program as part of sDiv. Participation in teaching at the PhD level and other career advancing opportunities are also available. The position will be coordinated through Martin Luther University (Halle- Wittenberg), but based at the iDiv center in Leipzig. Compensation is per the German 13 TV-L pay grade, which is more than enough to have a comfortable living arrangement in Leipzig. The working language at iDiv is English, and knowledge of the German language is not necessary (assistance is available for moving, setting up bank accounts, etc). However, German lessons are available at the center, which can be useful for navigating day-to-day life. For any questions, or to indicate an interest in applying, please contact Jon Chase ([email protected]). Official applications should be sent until 15th September 2017 to [email protected] and addressed to Prof. Jonathan Chase, Professor of Biodiversity Synthesis, iDiv with reference file number 4-7645/17-D. Applications should be in single pdf file consisting of (1) a 2-3 page motivation letter including background experiences, interest in this position, and any idea for moving the field forward; (2) a CV; (3) the names and contact information of 2-3 individuals who could serve as a reference. The successful candidate will also be required to provide original certificates before official employment can commence. The official job ad can be seen here: https://www.idiv.de/fileadmin/content/Vacancies_PDF/Vacancies_2017/JobAdiD iv_4764517D.pdf
