PhD stipend in the interdisciplinary doctoral college “Levers for a Transformation of Agricultural Landscapes: from Biodiversity Loss to Biodiversity Enhancement” (HABIT). Project “Participatory landscape design for biodiversity and multifunctionality”:
The Ecology of Tropical Agricultural Systems group at the University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart (https://agroecology.uni-hohenheim.de) is seeking applicants for a PhD stipend in the interdisciplinary doctoral college “Levers for a Transformation of Agricultural Landscapes: from Biodiversity Loss to Biodiversity Enhancement” (HABIT). Preferred starting date is 1 February 2023. The scholarship is granted for a period of three years. It includes a standard rate of 1,200 €/month (1,360 € with a child or 1,410 € with two or more children).
Other funding opportunities exist through the college, e.g., for conference visits. We aim to top up the scholarship by up to 25%. Modern, multifunctional landscapes must provide a variety of ecosystem services. The diversity of species and ecosystems in these landscapes forms the basis for these services but is threatened by agricultural intensification. The PhD project will explore the resulting conflicts between land use, conservation, and landscape multifunctionality to develop innovative solutions.
Ecological studies of ecologically and economically relevant species groups (wild bees, birds) and their services at the landscape level are combined with social studies on the preferences of different actors and decision-makers (farmers, representatives of authorities, etc.) for landscape design, and management recommendations developed in a participatory process. The ecological and socio-scientific investigations are carried out in close coordination with the other socio-ecologically oriented subprojects of the college to enable a joint evaluation.
Your profile
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist to join our group. Applicants must hold a MSc in ecology, agriculture, biology, or a related discipline. You should have good knowledge of ecological statistics (using R), good writing and communication skills, and be eager to work in teams in an interdisciplinary project. Fluency in written and spoken German and English is expected. Entomological and/or ornithological knowledge, and GIS skills are advantageous. A driving license class B (passenger car) is required for field work.
Your tasks
Record, collect and identify wild bees and birds in different habitats in landscapes in southwest Germany
Interviewing and leading focus group discussions with stakeholders
Active participation in the doctoral college with regular presentations of one’s own research status
Publication of research results in the scientific literature and presentation on scientific conferences
Additional benefits
We offer a PhD opportunity in a topical research area with high societal relevance. HABIT comprises twelve doctoral projects that are embedded in a social-ecological systems perspective. It is a joint project of the University of Hohenheim (UHOH) and the Nürtingen-Geislingen University of Applied Sciences (HfWU). You will be supervised by three professors (Prof. Ingo Grass, UHOH; Prof. Markus Röhl, HfWU; Prof. Michael Roth, HfWU).
We offer intensive interdisciplinary networking, exchange visits between the partner universities, and professional and methodological qualification offers by the Graduate School of the University of Hohenheim. The University of Hohenheim is located on a beautiful campus in Stuttgart, which offers rich cultural life and attractive surroundings.
Application deadline : 28.11.2022
Please attach the following documents to your application: Please apply via the University of Hohenheim portal (https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/en/job-openings) by 28.11.2022. Your application (in a single .pdf-file) should include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a letter of motivation for the doctorate, university and high school diplomas, a summary of your MSc thesis and, if available, letters of recommendation from previous supervisors. The University of Hohenheim aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and strongly encourages qualified female scientists to apply. In case of equal suitability, applicants with disabilities will be given preferential consideration.
The University of Hohenheim accepts applications via a secure internet site. To the application