Scaling problems in Statistics: Scale dependence of insect community structure and trophic interactions in fragmented landscapes

Spatial processes play an important role in community and population ecology, but mechanistic insights into the underlying processes are lacking. In particular, the data collected so far do not allow explicit spatial modelling approaches, spatial interpolation, or the incorporation of spatial dependencies.

In addition, data on dispersal rates, plant-pollinator and herbivore-predator interactions as well as on the relative role of habitat area, fragmentation, and landscape matrix are lacking so far (see www.agroecology.uni­-goettingen.de and e.g. Tscharntke et al. 2005, Ecology Letters 8: 857-874).

The Research Training Group 1644 on \\\"Scaling Problems in Statistics\\\", funded by the German Science Foundation (DFG), offers two PhD Position in Agroecology.

The highly interdisciplinary Research Training Group aims at the solution of current questions in agroecology, landscape ecology and spatial statistics and includes joint multidisciplinary supervision and a study program consisting of methodologically oriented lectures and interdisciplinary research seminars. For more information, please visit the website http://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/156579.html.

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Salary and conditions
The position will start October 1, 2010, and is awarded for up to 3 years.

The salary is around 1500 € net income per month (75% E13 TV-L).

The University of Göttingen actively seeks to foster career opportunities for female scholars and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Candidates with disabilities who are equally qualified for the position will receive special consideration.

The doctoral thesis will be done as a series of English manuscripts.

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Requirements
MSc or Diploma degree in ecology (biology, agriculture or related disciplines).
Knowledge in spatial statistics and plant-insect interactions is desirable.

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Applications
Application deadline: June 30th, 2010.

Applications must be uploaded to the online form located at http://zfs.uni-goettingen.de/sps by June 30th, 2010. Full contact and application information can be found within the portal link.

The interviews are intended to take place 12 and 13 July, 2010.