A Doctoral Position in Plant Ecology
is available at the Plant Ecology Group of the University of Tübingen. Applicants for
the Ph.D. position must hold an M.Sc. or equivalent degree in biology, ecology, plant
sciences or environmental sciences with a sound knowledge in plant ecology. Ideally,
the applicants have also knowledge of plant-soil interactions or biogeochemistry.
Furthermore, the position requires experience in designing and conducting
ecological field experiments and a sound knowledge of advanced statistics.
Experience in basic lab work can also be advantageous.
The project is part of a DFG priority programme (SPP) entitled EarthShape
(http://www.earthshape.net) which aims at investigating the influence of biota on the
geosphere. The study system for the entire priority programme is a climate gradient
in Chile ranging from extremely arid to subtropical conditions.
The project is conducted in collaboration with Y. Oelmann (University of Tübingen),
and L. Cavieres (University of Concepción). We aim at studying whether spatial
environmental gradients can serve as proxies for inferring temporal changes of
ecosystems in time. Our approach is a set of large-scale and long-term field
experiments whereby climate will be manipulated and plant-soil-geology feedbacks
studied, with a special focus on plant litter decomposition. The work includes
extensive field campaigns in Chile each year, but the main working place will be
Tübingen, a buzzing university town in Southwest Germany. Working language is
English, but a very good knowledge of Spanish would be highly advantageous.
The position is scheduled for 3 years with an anticipated starting date of January 1st,
2016. Payment is according to the German public tariff (75% TV-L E13).
Applications are to be submitted via email and as a single pdf file to Katja
Tielbörger, University of Tübingen, Plant Ecology Group: katja.tielboerger@unituebingen.de. Deadline is October 15th, 2015, or until position is filled.
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a CV, transcripts, and proof of
special qualifications, if applicable. The applicants are also requested to have two
letters of reference sent independently to the above Email address.
The University of Tübingen wants to increase the number of female researchers, and
specifically encourage female candidates to apply. Disabled persons will be
preferred in case of equal qualification.