Darmstadt: PhD, insect ecology Tisk

Technische Universität Darmstadt

Ph.D. position in Functional Agroecology / Insect Ecology

Application deadline: 15.01.2015

Subjected to final grant allocation, the research group‘Ecological Networks’ at the Technische Universität Darmstadt offers a Ph.D. position (‘Wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin’/’Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter’,salary TV-H 65 %, limited for 3 years) in the field of‘Functional Agroecology / Insect Ecology’to conduct research on the relationships between biodiversity, species traits and ecosystem services under changing climatic conditionsin German apple orchard ecosystems.

The research will be performed in the framework of the European BiodivERsA project EcoFruit (‘Managing ecosystem services for fruit production in different European climates’), and it involves cooperation with research groups in Germany (University of Freiburg), Spain and Sweden.The project aims at understanding how European agri-environmental schemes (AES) on the farm scale (organic vs. conventional farming) and on the adjacent-farm scale (flowering strips/hedgerows) affect biodiversity and ecosystem services (ES) such as predation/parasitism and disservices such as pest levels in different landscape contexts, and how these effects relate to net fruit production. Within the EcoFruit project, we will investigate (1) whether arthropod biodiversity increases multiple ES, (2) how biodiversity drives ES by spatial and conditional complementarity, and (3) how AES acting at different scales affect the diversity of traits and the specificity of ecological networks.The position is expected to start in March 2015. The successful candidate should have a strong interest and background (Diplom/M.Sc.) in Ecology, Entomology, Plant Protection, or related fields. Ideally, applicants are experienced in performing ecological experiments in the field and have a profound knowledge of statistics. Applicants should have excellent communication skills both in German to interact with local apple growers and in English to communicate research findings and to exchange with cooperation partners. A German driver’s license is required and availability of a car would be advantageous. While the position will be based at the TU Darmstadt, we expect the successful candidate to spend large parts of the field season in apple orchards in the Lake Constance region.Applications should include a cover letter, C.V., list of publications, a short statement of research interests, and names and email-addresses of three references. The closing date for applications will be January 15th, 2015. Applications in German or English should be sent electronically by e-mail (preferably combined to a single PDF) to PD Dr. Karsten Mody:  Tato emailová adresa je chráněna před spamboty, abyste ji viděli, povolte JavaScript . Dr.Mody may also be contacted in case of questions by email or phone (+49 6151 16-75414).We especially encourage women to apply. Physically handicapped persons will be given preference in case of equal qualifications. For further information on the research group “Ecological Networks” please see: http://www.econetlab.org.