application deadline: 2. 3. 2012
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[printable version .pdf]

Ph.D. position (stipend) in chemical ecology and community ecology: adaptations of flowers and fruits to diverse interaction partners

Within the Graduate Research School (Graduiertenkolleg) “Evolutionary Networks: Organisms, Reactions, Molecules (E-Norm)” at the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany, we seek a candidate to conduct a research project on “Phenotypic integration of flower, fruit and leaf traits and intra-plant interaction networks”. The general goal of the project is to understand the complex interactions between plants and mutualistic and antagonistic partners and whether adaptations by flowers, fruits and leaves are constrained by each other or if evolution can act independently on different plant organs. The successful candidate will record interaction networks within individual plant species, analyse chemical and morphological plant traits and will perform behavioral experiments with insects. Fieldwork will generally be conducted in Germany, a field trip over a period of several months to Hawaii (USA) is anticipated.

The central goal of the interdisciplinary Graduate Research School “Evolutionary Networks: Organisms, Reactions, Molecules” (E-Norm) is to apply the conceptual and analytical framework of networks to the investigation of biological systems, spanning several levels of biological organization: genes, genomes, biochemical pathways, organisms, behaviour, and ecology. Research will focus on the formation, function, heritable properties and evolution of networks in biological systems. The participating institutes at the HHU bring together internationally leading expertise from different disciplines (Biology, Computer Science and Mathematics). Their common goal in E-Norm is to further develop the basic science and application of networks in biology with a unifying focus on evolutionary processes. In addition to developing specialized expertise in the application and investigation of biological networks through their scientific research, successful applicants will be receive professional career preparation and soft skill training through the iGRAD programme of the Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf (http://www.uni-duesseldorf.de/iGRAD/).

The stipends of E-Norm are valued at € 1400 per month for 3 years starting May 1, 2012.
Successful candidates should have a strong background in chemical ecology, plant-animal interactions or related fields. Experience in chemical analysis and plant/insect identification is advantageous, advanced statistical skills are required. A driving licence is advantageous and having available an own car is useful. A Diplom / M.Sc. degree in Biology or a related subject will be required. We expect the candidate to have good communication and organisation skills and the ability to work in a team. Applications should include a cover letter, C.V., list of publications, a short statement of research interests, and names and contact-details of 2-3 references. Deadline for applications is March 02, 2012. Please submit applications electronically as a single pdf file to robert.junker@uni-duesseldorf.de with the subject line “E-Norm Stipend”. We especially encourage women to apply. Physically handicapped persons will be given preference in case of equal qualifications.

Further information can be found here:
http://www.hhu.de/enorm/
http://www.biologie.uni-duesseldorf.de/Institute/Sinnesoekologie/Staff/Junker

Contact:
Dr. Robert R. Junker
Institute of Sensory Ecology, Department Biology
Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf
Universitätsstr. 1 D-40225 Düsseldorf

robert.junker@uni-duesseldorf.de
tel +49 211 81 13413