Scholarships Source

at the Institute for Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main. The position is part of a DFG project which aims at predicting the reaction of plant species to global change. A central aim of this project is to develop a new modelling tool simulating dispersal of plant seeds by human activities (e.g. transport by cars, on footwear, on agricultural machinery, as contamination in seeds). Such a model is e.g. essential for understanding the range dynamics of neophytes and other plant species in man-made landscapes in respect to global change.

The specific tasks of this PhD-position are

• Development of a new modelling framework integrating several models addressing the various possibilities of seed dispersal by human activities
• Compilation of a database with information on plant traits and dispersal vectors needed for parameterization of the models
• Application of the model in case studies related to global change (in cooperation with other phD students from the working group) and neophytes

Applicants should have a diploma or master in bioinformatics, system analysis, biology, geography or a similar field of study. They must have a strong theoretical and methodological background in modelling and statistics in combination with the ability and motivation to compile and analyse complex datasets in an interdisciplinary project. A botanical and ecological background would be beneficial. The applicants should also be competent English and enjoy working in interdisciplinary project.

The duration of the contract is limited by the regulations of the German “Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz i.V.m. dem Hessischen Hochschulgesetz.

Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (BAT IIa/2). The contract shall start as soon as possible and will be restricted for 36 months. The duty station will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The successful candidate will join our growing team and have the opportunity to profit from the programmes offered by the Otto Stern School for Integrated Doctoral Education ( www.oss.uni-frankfurt.de ). The Goethe University advocates gender equality.

Please apply by sending your application by e-mail (preferred) or mail, including a letter, outlining your suitability for the post, a detailed CV, certificates, contact details of at least two referees, and copies of your thesis until September 15th, 2008 to

Prof. Dr. Oliver Tackenberg
Institut für Ökologie, Diversität & Evolution
Siesmayerstrasse 70
60323 Frankfurt am Main

Phone: ++49 +69 79824731
E-mail: tackenberg@bio.uni-frankfurt.de