Doctoral student (m/f/d) in the field of Effects of agroforestry on invertebrate biodiversity
Founded in 1607, Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) is a research university rich in tradition. Inspired by curiosity about the unknown, we enable around 26,500 students and 5,700 employees to advance science for society. Join us in breaking new ground and writing success stories - your own and those of our university.
Support us as of now in part-time (65 %) as a
Doctoral student (m/f/d) in the field of
Effects of agroforestry on invertebrate biodiversity
The position is part of the externally funded project "Agroforestry for sustainable multifunctional agriculture (FORMULA)" and is to be filled on a fixed-term basis in accordance with § 2 WissZeitVG and § 72 HessHG with the opportunity for own academic qualification at the Chair of Functional Environmental Genomics, Department of Insect Biotechnology at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, Nutritional Sciences, and Environmental Management. The salary is in accordance with the collective labour agreement of the State of Hessen (E 13 TV-H).
As long as the maximum permissible duration of a fixed-term contract is not exceeded, you will be employed for a period of 4 years.
Your tasks at a glance
Agroforestry is a potential intensification pathway to address the multiple challenges of modern agriculture. FORMULA investigates the effects and trade-offs of agroforestry on nutrient and water cycling, climate effects, biodiversity impacts, agricultural production. The position is advertised as one of the two PhD positions in the "Biodiversity" subproject of FORMULA, with a focus on changes in arthropod community composition, interaction networks and ecosystem services along the tree row gradients. You will be integrated into the Functional Environmental Genomics research group where we use novel molecular data to understand community structure, composition and function. You will
- Describe soil microarthropod, epigaeic arthropod and pollinator communities
- Analyse drivers of community composition
- Infer soil interaction networks from co-occurrence data and traits
- Infer functional properties and activities of the soil invertebrate communities
- Coordinate project activities, disseminate results in publications and conference talks, interact with project partners
The provision of academic services (including the processing of a research project financed by third party funds on a temporary basis) also serves the purpose of academic qualification.
Your qualifications and competences
We encourage you to apply if you fulfill all obligatory, and at least one optional criteria.
Obligatory
- Completed Master‘s or equivalent university degree in ecology, biology, or comparable
- Knowledge of general community assembly processes
- Experience in statistical analyses of community composition, or interaction networks, or ecosystem services
- Excellent command of English
Optional
- Experience with writing peer-reviewed publications
- Project coordination experience
- Experience with coordinating BSc- or MSc-level students
- Experience with molecular community data (e.g. metagenomics, metabarcoding)
- Knowledge of springtails, mites, other soil microarthropods, epigaeic arthropods, pollinators
Our offer to you
- A varied job with flexible working hours
- Free use of local public transport (LandesTicket Hessen)
- More than 100 training seminars, workshops and e-learning opportunities per year for personal development, as well as a wide range of health and sports activities
- Remuneration according to TV-H, company pension scheme, child allowance and special payments
- Good compatibility of family and career (certificate "audit familiengerechte hochschule")
If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Dr. Miklós Bálint by e-mail (miklos.balint@senckenberg.de).
JLU aims to employ more women in academic research. We therefore particularly encourage female candidates to apply. JLU is regarded as a family-friendly university. Applicants with children are very welcome. Applications from disabled people of equal aptitude will be given preference.
You want to break new ground with us?
Apply via our online form by September 10th, 2024, indicating reference number 559/09. We look forward to receiving your application.