PhD in Plant Evolutionary Ecology (Germany)

Applicants for the Ph.D. position must hold an M.Sc. or equivalent degree in biology, ecology or environmental sciences with a sound knowledge in plant ecology and /or evolutionary ecology. Ideally, the applicants should have experience in designing and conducting ecological experiments in the field and greenhouse and a sound knowledge of statistics and experimental design. Experience in basic lab work can also be advantageous.


The project is part of a DFG priority program entitled Adaptomics
(http://www.ruhruni-bochum.de/dfg-spp1529/Seiten/index.html) which aims
at bridging the gap between ecological and molecular approaches to
studying phenotypic and genotypic variation in plants. Our subproject is
a cooperation between the Universities of Tübingen, Bochum and Vienna.
We aim at studying the role of biotic interactions for
generating within- and between population trait variation in two
Crucifer species. The trait we are looking at is the ability of many
Brassicaceae species to hyperaccumulate and hypertolerate heavy metals.
The approach will be a combination of field observations and experiments
in Germany and France, as well as basic genetic analyses for studying
the role of clonal integration in determining metal hyperaccumulating
abilities. The working place will be Tübingen, a buzzing university town
in Southwest Germany.
The position is scheduled for 3 years with an anticipated starting date
of December 2014, or until the position is filled. Payment is according
to the German public tariff (65% TV-L E13).
Applications are to be submitted via email and as a single pdf file
until October 10, 2015 to Katja Tielbörger, University of Tübingen,
Plant Ecology Group:
vegetation@bot.uni-tuebingen.de.
Applications should include a letter of motivation, a CV, transcripts or
degree certificates including grades, proof of special qualifications,
and prints of publications if applicable. The applicants are also
requested to have two letters of reference sent separately to the above
Email address. The participating universities want to increase the
number of female researchers, and specifically encourage female
candidates to apply. Disabled persons will be preferred in case of equal
qualification.