The Biodiversity Theory Group at the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) offers two PhD positions on Biodiversity Theory and Ecological Networks. The projects will address how habitat fragmentation affects population dynamics, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in complex, multi-trophic ecological communities of animals and plants. Models of such meta-communities in fragmented landscapes will be developed and analyzed for relationships between landscape structures and ecological community composition. The results will provide guidance for species conservation concepts in natural landscapes. The project will be embedded in an integrative and collaborative working group covering various aspects of biodiversity theory: https://www.idiv.de/research/idiv_core_groups/theory_in_biodiversity_science.html The working group is part of an internationally oriented research environment at iDiv in Leipzig, Germany, that offers ample opportunities for collaborations: https://www.idiv.de/ Applicants should have (1) an MSc degree or equivalent, (2) interest in modeling ecological systems or ecological networks, (3) basic knowledge of programming (preferably C, C++) or good knowledge of writing code in R or Python, and (4) excellent knowledge of the English language in speaking and writing. The PhD positions (3 years with salary level 65% Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L) will be administrated by the Friedrich-Schiller University Jena while the working group is located at the iDiv Leipzig. Applications are accepted until January 22nd 2016, and more information on the position and application details are available online:
https://www.idiv.de/the-centre/career.html
