The Plant Ecology Group at the University of Tübingen is searching for a Ph.D. student in Theoretical Ecology/Ecological Modeling: The position is part of the trans- and interdisciplinary research consortium running the newly established SAGE Centre (Sustainable Adaptation to Global Change in the Middle East) in the Jordan River region. The region is characterized by extraordinarily diverse ecosystems and important genetic resources. At the same time, the region and its biodiversity will suffer heavily from increasing incidents of climatic extremes.
The SAGE Centre is located at the University of An Najah and coordinated by the University of Tübingen. Its goal is to provide science-based solutions to the problems caused by climate and land use change. The Centre provides a number of Ph.D. fellowships which are funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). All selected fellows will be part of an international Ph.D. Research School.
The role of the Ph.D. student is to develop a theoretical framework that will enable to investigate climate-adapted management schemes for rangelands, i.e. hotspots of biodiversity. The anticipated project is embedded in an interdisciplinary framework. Namely, several other Ph.D. projects will work on a region-wide experimental system that aims at studying the combined effects of grazing, biodiversity and drought on rangeland resistance and resilience. Additionally, more Ph.D. projects work on hydrological aspects as well as economic aspects of rangelands.
We are seeking for an independent student with an M.Sc. in Ecology or a related field. Excellent knowledge in ecological modelling and affinity to field-based ecology is required. The candidate shall also be willing to spend some time in the study region. Furthermore, the candidate should have excellent writing and presentation skills, and sh/e should be ready to work in a multicultural and interdisciplinary setting. Excellent knowledge of English is essential.
The position will be partly paid according to the German pay scale E13 TV-L for the time of stay in Germany, and complemented by a competitive fellowship for the time abroad. It is scheduled for a period of three years, starting ideally between Dec 1st 2022 or Jan 1st, 2023.
The University seeks to raise diversity and therefore urges underrepresented groups to apply for the position.
Please send your application including a letter of interest, CV and a list of publications (if applicable) as a single pdf-file to Dr. Max Schmid (vegetation@bot.uni-tuebingen.de) to whom also inquiries should be addressed. Please make sure that two letters of reference are sent to the above address independently. The deadline for applications is November 10, 2022, or until position is filled.