University of Groningen
(1,0 fte)
(Groningen), 38 hours per week
Job description
Function title: PhD position in Community and Conservation Ecology
at the Community and Conservation Ecology Group. Salt marshes are important habitats along the Dutch coast, providing feeding grounds for migratory birds. Salt-marsh development is however increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and overgrazing by increasing goose populations. Salt marshes that are not grazed by geese are well able to keep up with sea-level rise by reducing hydrodynamic energy and trapping sediment with their tall vegetation. It is unknown how shortening of the vegetation by grazing reduces the ability to trap sediment and keep up with sea-level rise. Trapping sediment enhances the fertility of the marsh, and thereby canopy height. Too tall vegetation hampers bird grazing. Hence, implications of sea-level rise for the ability of salt marshes to continue to support large populations of grazing birds are also unknown thus far. The present project will unravel how the interacting effect of marsh vegetation, hydrodynamics, sediment trapping and bird grazing affect the resilience of marshes as important grazer habitats. This will be done by combining ecological end physical field studies, flume experiments and hydrodynamic modeling.
Hence we are looking for two PhD candidates:
PhD 1 will study experimentally the mechanistic relationship between vegetation characteristics and the sediment trapping and erosion prevention by vegetation, and how this interaction is affected by (1) grazing intensity, (2) sediment fertility and (3) the patchiness in the landscape structure. The PhD candidate will be appointed at the University of Groningen.
PhD 2 will experimentally study the large-scale hydrodynamic and sedimentation processes and incorporate the results in a spatial-explicit hydrodynamic model that can be used to predict long-term, large-scale dynamics of salt marshes. The PhD candidate will be appointed at NIOO-Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology in Yerseke, Zeeland.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for a candidate for PhD position 1 with a masters or equivalent degree in biology with preferably a strong background in plant ecology and plant-herbivore interactions. The project is expected to be very demanding and it is essential that the candidate has a very creative mind and affinity with field experiments. The candidate should have a strong interest in statistics and data mining of large datasets. Knowledge of geomorphology is desirable. Good proficiency of the English language is essential. The candidate is supposed to attend a few graduate courses and assist in teaching (10% of time).
PhD position 2 will be advertised shortly (end of June) by the NIOO (www.nioo.knaw.nl).
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of the Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.
The university provides a career advisory service for partners of new staff who move to Groningen.
The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Community and Conservation Ecology
The Community and Conservation Ecology Group is part of the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES) in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Groningen. Our research focuses on understanding the structure, dynamics and diversity of ecological communities. Our research is done in both temperate and tropical ecosystems, with an emphasis on coastal salt marshes, inland grasslands, and tropical savannas. We aim at both progressing the fundamental understanding of ecological communities, as well as applying this knowledge to conservation of biological diversity. The group provides a lively, internationally oriented, scientific environment with excellent facilities.
Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2000 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2558 gross per month in the fourth year. Objective of the temporary four years position is a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, together comprising the PhD thesis leading to the granting of the PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year there is an evaluation for feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Prof.dr. J.P. Bakker
E-mail address: j.p.bakker@rug.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
You can apply for this job before 11-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
University of Groningen
Personnel and Organization Office
P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vmp@rug.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT208147.
(Groningen), 38 hours per week
Job description
Function title: PhD position in Community and Conservation Ecology
at the Community and Conservation Ecology Group. Salt marshes are important habitats along the Dutch coast, providing feeding grounds for migratory birds. Salt-marsh development is however increasingly threatened by sea-level rise and overgrazing by increasing goose populations. Salt marshes that are not grazed by geese are well able to keep up with sea-level rise by reducing hydrodynamic energy and trapping sediment with their tall vegetation. It is unknown how shortening of the vegetation by grazing reduces the ability to trap sediment and keep up with sea-level rise. Trapping sediment enhances the fertility of the marsh, and thereby canopy height. Too tall vegetation hampers bird grazing. Hence, implications of sea-level rise for the ability of salt marshes to continue to support large populations of grazing birds are also unknown thus far. The present project will unravel how the interacting effect of marsh vegetation, hydrodynamics, sediment trapping and bird grazing affect the resilience of marshes as important grazer habitats. This will be done by combining ecological end physical field studies, flume experiments and hydrodynamic modeling.
Hence we are looking for two PhD candidates:
PhD 1 will study experimentally the mechanistic relationship between vegetation characteristics and the sediment trapping and erosion prevention by vegetation, and how this interaction is affected by (1) grazing intensity, (2) sediment fertility and (3) the patchiness in the landscape structure. The PhD candidate will be appointed at the University of Groningen.
PhD 2 will experimentally study the large-scale hydrodynamic and sedimentation processes and incorporate the results in a spatial-explicit hydrodynamic model that can be used to predict long-term, large-scale dynamics of salt marshes. The PhD candidate will be appointed at NIOO-Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology in Yerseke, Zeeland.
Requirements
Required education/skills:University Graduate
We are looking for a candidate for PhD position 1 with a masters or equivalent degree in biology with preferably a strong background in plant ecology and plant-herbivore interactions. The project is expected to be very demanding and it is essential that the candidate has a very creative mind and affinity with field experiments. The candidate should have a strong interest in statistics and data mining of large datasets. Knowledge of geomorphology is desirable. Good proficiency of the English language is essential. The candidate is supposed to attend a few graduate courses and assist in teaching (10% of time).
PhD position 2 will be advertised shortly (end of June) by the NIOO (www.nioo.knaw.nl).
Job type: Research / Advising
Workfield(s):
- Teaching & Research(Scientific discipline: Natural Sciences)
Organization
University of Groningen
Founded in 1614. One of the best universities in Europe and the world. A wide variety of disciplines. Internationally oriented. Rooted in the North of the Netherlands. Socially active. Our researchers and lecturers are inspired academics. Ambitious students. We respect the differences in talent, ambitions and performance of the 25.000 students and members of staff.
The university provides a career advisory service for partners of new staff who move to Groningen.
The university is an equal opportunities employer. Because women are still underrepresented in a number of fields, they are particularly encouraged to apply.
Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Community and Conservation Ecology
The Community and Conservation Ecology Group is part of the Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies (CEES) in the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the University of Groningen. Our research focuses on understanding the structure, dynamics and diversity of ecological communities. Our research is done in both temperate and tropical ecosystems, with an emphasis on coastal salt marshes, inland grasslands, and tropical savannas. We aim at both progressing the fundamental understanding of ecological communities, as well as applying this knowledge to conservation of biological diversity. The group provides a lively, internationally oriented, scientific environment with excellent facilities.
Conditions of employment
Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2558
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: Four years
Maximum hours per week: 38
Additional conditions of employment:
The University of Groningen offers a salary of € 2000 gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 2558 gross per month in the fourth year. Objective of the temporary four years position is a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals, together comprising the PhD thesis leading to the granting of the PhD degree (dr.) at the University of Groningen. After the first year there is an evaluation for feasibility of successful completion of the PhD thesis within the next three years.
Additional Information
Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:
Prof.dr. J.P. Bakker
E-mail address: j.p.bakker@rug.nl
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links:
- About the organization (http://www.rug.nl)
- About the Community and Conservation Ecology Group (http://www.rug.nl/biologie/onderzoek/onderzoekGroepen/cocon/index)
You can apply for this job before 11-06-2008 (dd-mm-yyyy) by sending your application to:
University of Groningen
Personnel and Organization Office
P.O. Box 72
9700 AB Groningen
The Netherlands
E-mail: vmp@rug.nl
When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT208147.
