The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN) is a member of the Leibniz Association and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. SGN conducts natural history research with almost 800 employees and research institutions in six federal states. Within SGN, the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) explores the interactions between biodiversity, climate, and society.
Senckenberg BiK-F invites applications for a PhD position in the research project “Protea networks in time and space: resource-driven dynamics of interacting plant, pollinator and seed predator communities in South African Fynbos (ProteaNet)”.This project is funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and is carried out in close collaboration with Prof. Frank Schurr (University of Hohenheim). Here, we invite applications for a PhD position (Ref.#7.4.16) in "Temporal dynamics of plant-animal interaction networks" The successful applicant will investigate the temporal dynamics of mutualistic and antagonistic plant-animal interaction networks. He/she will examine how resources provided by plants affect communities of animal seed predators and pollinators (insects and birds). The project combines experimental and observational field studies with advanced statistical techniques, e.g. analyses of functional trait diversity and interaction networks. It builds on a previous project on spatial plant-animal interactions (ProteaBird) and provides a unique opportunity for elucidating the coupled community dynamics of plants and animals. The project will be conducted in close cooperation with another PhD student (University of Hohenheim) and researchers at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa (Profs. Karen Esler and Anton Pauw). We encourage the participation in graduate courses at the Goethe Graduate Academy (GRADE). Position requirements • An excellent Master degree (or equivalent) in Ecology or a related field • A strong interest in community ecology, preferably with a background in plant-animal interactionsand animal taxonomy (insects, birds) • Experience in conducting ecological field work; the position involves extended periods of field work in South Africa (ca. 12 months in total) • Good knowledge of statistical data analysis (preferably with R) • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English (knowledge of German is not mandatory) • Ambition to publish in international journals Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-H E 13, 65%).The position will be for 3 years starting between October and December 2016.The Senckenberg Research Institute supports equal opportunity of men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply. Equally qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference. The place of employment will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The employer is the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung. Please submit your application before 5 June 2016 via e-mail as a single PDF file to: Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung Senckenberganlage 25 60325 Frankfurt E-Mail:recruit...@senckenberg.de Please include the reference to this position (Ref.#7.4.16) in the subject line and include a 1-page cover letter describing your motivation to apply, a CV including relevant certificates, a 1-page summary of your Master thesis and contact details of 2 potential referees. For scientific enquiries please contact PD Dr. Matthias Schleuning via email: matthias.schleun...@senckenberg.de
