Three-year PhD position in Experimental Plant Community Ecology

PhD position (UNIVERSITÄT BAYREUTH)

Bewerbungsfrist: 12.01.2022

Research Associate (m/f/d) (E 13 TV-L, 50%)

The department of Disturbance Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics (Prof. Dr. A. Jentsch) at the University of Bayreuth (Germany) invites applications for a three-year PhD position in Experimental Plant Community Ecology. - Welcome to the team! Our research interest is in ecosystem dynamics, climate change impacts, plant biodiversity, community ecology and plant functional traits. We are studying effects of global change drivers including as extreme weather events on ecosystem functions and resilience. Our research involves experimental field work in grasslands and forests across altitudinal gradients and across various species pools, thereby participating in global, collaborative networks such as DroughtNet, NutNet, HerbDivNet, TransPlant and SUSALPS. The PhD-position involves a limited amount of teaching in English (2.5 credit hours, particularly in Experimental Ecology) and is suitable to develop an independent research profile within ongoing research activities of the Disturbance Ecology lab.

We seek an applicant with a Master of Science in Ecology, Geoecology, Biology, Biodiversity, Environmental Science, Biogeography or a closely related field. You have a compelling motivation for science, a solid knowledge in plant ecology as well as strong statistical competence (preferably in R) and writing skills. Tasks will include monitoring of environmental conditions in experimental settings, assessment of plant functional traits and ecosystem functions, data analysis, writing and publishing scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals, presenting results at national and international conferences. Working language in the lab is English, a driver’s license, the willingness to drive is needed. We are seeking a highly motivated young researcher with a good team spirit. There is the possibility to participate in mentoring of international interns, Bachelor and Master students. Floristic expertise, an enthusiastic and outdoorsy personality as well as command of the German language would be beneficial. The direct surroundings of Bayreuth University including the Frankenjura and the Fichtelgebirge offer attractive opportunities for outdoor activities and further research.

We offer a multi-faceted research experience in a small, young, international team and strong support for your scientific career. The position is not associated with a specific project, thus, your PhD topic will be developed jointly with you within the field of experimental plant community ecology. You are encouraged to collaborate within the group, across departments and with other universities. We will support research visits to international collaborators and possible field trips as well as family-friendly solutions.

The Disturbance Ecology lab belongs to the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), a scientific environment at an innovative, research-oriented university with a reputation for excellence, well-established interdisciplinary research fields and international master programs. The University of Bayreuth seeks to increase the participation of women in areas in which they are currently underrepresented and therefore strongly encourages applications from female candidates. Disabled persons with equivalent aptitude will be favored. For further information please visit: https://www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/stoerungsoekologie/?lang=en or directly contact Prof. Dr. Anke Jentsch (E-mail: [email protected] , phone +49 921 55 2290).

Please send a letter of motivation together with your CV and the contact details of two academic references in electronic form as a single pdf-file (including your name in the file name) to [email protected] until January 12, 2022. Reviews will start thereafter and continue until the position is filled, starting date is spring 2022. Application documents will be deleted after a safekeeping period of five months.