Bees are the main pollinators of agricultural crops and wild plants worldwide. There is concern that widespread commercial cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops could harm pollinator populations. However, standardized sampling and laboratory testing methods, as well as data on the status of pollinators in agricultural landscapes before the introduction of GM crops, are widely lacking. In a forthcoming EU project two PhD positions are available. Successful applicants will conduct research on (i) the effects of GM crops on in vitro reared bee larvae, (ii) combined effects of multiple stressors (disease, food quality, GM crops) on pollinators, (iii) the exposure risk of honey bee colonies to potential GM crops in agricultural landscapes and (iiii) monitoring of bee diversity in different European biogeographic regions. Based on results obtained in the project, we will harmonize sampling and testing methods across Europe in order to minimize risks of GM crops to importa!
nt pollinator species. The project is part of a larger EU consortium of 22 working groups from 16 countries working on Assessing and Monitoring the Impacts of Genetically modified plants on Agro-ecosystems (AMIGA).
Requirements
Applicants for the PhD positions should hold a Masters or Diploma degree in Biology or related fields. For one position, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate with a strong background in environmental risk assessment, laboratory work or in vitro rearing. For the second position, we are seeking a skilled candidate with strong interest in wild bee ecology and pollination. For both positions knowledge in applied entomology, agroecology, animal ecology, advanced statistical methods and GIS would be relevant. Knowledge in handling honey bee colonies would be advantageous. The candidates are expected to work independently and to integrate into an international project with multiple collaboration partners.
Salary and conditions
The positions are for three years (50%, TVL E13). Depending on final approval, the project will start on 1 January 2012. The working place will be at the University of Würzburg, Germany. The doctoral thesis will be written as a series of English manuscripts.
Applications
Please send your application as a single PDF file per-email to Prof. Dr. Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocentre, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, 97074 Würzburg, Germany (E-mail: ingolf.steffan@uni-wuerzburg.de) and Dr. Stephan Härtel (stephan.haertel@uni-wuerzburg.de). Applicants should send a letter of interest (it should be specified which position would be the first choice), their CV, complete certificates, and the names (with email address) of two referees.
Review of applications will start on 31 October 2011.
For further information, please contact
Prof. Dr. Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter (Ingolf.Steffan@uni-wuerzburg.de), or Dr. Stephan Härtel (stephan.haertel@uni-wuerzburg.de), Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, University of Würzburg