Job announcement
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Agroecology, Department of Crop Sciences

Closing date: 31.08.2010
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[printable version .pdf]

Doctoral Position
“Ecosystem services in cacao agroforestry: the role of ants and vertebrate predators”

Starting date: as soon as possible.

Rationale
The project will deliver further insight into top-down ecological control of herbivores in tropical agroforestry systems, and into how control varies in space and time. In the main experiment, manipulation of ant and vertebrate predator access will be used to disentangle the effect of these predators on herbivory, insect herbivores and spiders in cacao agroforests differing in shading conditions and distance to natural forest, factors which have been shown to affect the composition of insectivorous bird communities.

Requirements
MSc or Diploma degree in biology, agriculture or related disciplines. Interest in independent research, strong leadership and communication skills. Good knowledge in ecological theory, plant-insect interactions and insect communities as well as experience in tropical ecosystems. Working experience in an Asian country is a plus. Salary and conditions

The project will be based in Göttingen, but extensive field work in Indonesia will be required. The doctoral thesis will be done as a series of manuscripts in English. The salary will be in accordance with the German state regulated public service salary scale (PhD: 65 % E 13 TV-L) for at least 18 months. An extension by a further 18 months is possible with funding from other sources. The University of Göttingen actively seeks to foster career opportunities for female scholars and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Candidates with disabilities who are equally qualified for the position will receive special consideration.

Applications
Applicants should send an application letter, their CV and the names (with email
address) of two references before August 31th 2010, 12am to the email address given
below.

For further information, please contact
Dr. Yann Clough, Agroecology, University of Goettingen, Waldweg 26, D-37073
Goettingen, Tel. +49-551-3922358, Fax +49-551-398806, email: yclough@gwdg.de