Postdoctoral researcher in Plant Macroecology Project,Frankfurt am Main,Germany

The Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) is a new interdisciplinary institute with the mission to carry out internationally outstanding research on the interactions of biodiversity and climate change on the organism level. It has been founded by the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, the Goethe-University Frankfurt am Main, and other partners. The Centre is funded by the Federal State of Hesse through its Initiative for the Development of Scientific and Economic Excellence (LOEWE). It provides a new, dynamic research environment that integrates a variety of disciplines from both natural and social sciences. The Project Area B “Biodiversity Dynamics and Climate” invites applications for the position of a

Postdoctoral researcher in “Plant Macroecology”
Project B1.13 [Ref. #B47a]

The successful applicant will investigate the impact of climate and land use-changes on range dynamics of plant species. The focus will be on innovative macroecological analyses on the interaction between ecological niches, potential range shifts and dispersal limitation of the plants. The applicants are also expected to develop joint research projects, to write funding proposals, as well as to engage in the joint supervision of Ph.D., bachelor and masters students.

Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in ecology or a related field and have substantial experience in plant ecology and/or landscape ecology. Successful candidates should have a strong background in advanced statistical analyses of large and complex data sets. Experience with the handling of remote sensing data and geographical information systems (GIS) would be added recommendations. A solid publication record, good skills in writing and oral communications and the willingness to develop collaborations within an interdisciplinary team and the Centre as a whole are also mandatory.

Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-H E13).

The Research Centre BiK-F advocates gender equality. Women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply.

Equally qualified severely handicapped applicants will be given preference. The contract shall start as soon as possible and will initially be restricted to 2 years. Extension is possible and will be subject to personal performance and availability of funds. The duty station will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The employer is the Senckenberg Gesellschaft fuer Naturforschung.

Please send your application by e-mail attachment, mentioning the reference of this position (B1.13) and including a letter outlining your suitability for the post, a detailed CV, contact details of 2 referees and a selection of your most important publications before August 15, 2011 to: Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. V. Mosbrugger, Scientific Coordinator Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre, Senckenberganlage 25, D-60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.  E-mail should be sent to Service and Administration: recruiting@senckenberg.de. For scientific enquiries please contact Prof. Dr. O. Tackenberg (tackenberg@bio.uni-frankfurt.de.de).