Postdoc Position in Metacommunity-/Metaecosystem Ecology : Dübendorf / Zurich, Switzerland

The University of Zurich (UZH) is one of the leading research universities in Europe and the largest University within Switzerland.

Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, is a Swiss-based and internationally networked aquatic research institute within the ETH domain (Swiss Federal Institute of Science and Technology). It is committed to the ecologically, economically and socially responsible management of water resources and aquatic ecosystems.

The Altermatt lab at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies (IEE) of UZH and the Department of Aquatic Ecology of Eawag have a vacancy for

Postdoc Position in Metacommunity-/Metaecosystem Ecology
Project title: Bridging biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in dendritic networks: a meta-ecosystem perspective

Understanding the causes and consequences of biodiversity is among the most challenging goals in ecology. Recent results indicate a generally positive effect of diversity on ecosystem processes. Up to now, almost all work on biodiversity-ecosystem functioning has been conducted in a non-spatial, one-patch perspective. Natural ecosystems, however, are spatially explicit, and there is substantial flow of material and organisms among patches and ecosystems. This project aims at applying the concept of meta-ecosystems to empirical data in spatially explicit dendritic networks.

In a project linked to two complementing PhD theses, the Postdoc Fellow will use a laboratory protist microcosm system to experimentally test interacting effects of habitat network structure and ecosystem functioning. As a group, we will extend these findings to mesocosm experiments and large-scale field studies with amphipods to study ecosystem functioning in Swiss river networks. The Postdoc will synthesize the findings, and link or expand existing theoretical work. In the whole project, diversity and ecosystem functioning will be studied in spatially explicit dendritic networks in a highly consistent framework. Ultimately, we want to get a comprehensive understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in riverine systems.

Competitive applicants will have previous experience in ecology, biodiversity and spatial dynamics and be interested in participating in this extensive new research project. They will be highly motivated, enthusiastic and independent scientists. Candidates should have a good conceptual understanding of ecological theory, excellent experimental skills and/or a strong background in quantitative modeling. Excellent communicational and writing skills in English, experiences with publishing scientific articles, good work ethics, and creative thinking are desired. A PhD in Ecology or related subject is necessary for admission. The working language in the Altermatt lab is English.

The Altermatt lab has a shared base at University of Zurich and at Eawag. It offers a stimulating and international research environment, excellent research facilities and a lively and social working place. Zurich hosts many other research groups in ecology and biodiversity research, and is among the world’s leading cities in terms of science, culture and quality of life. The positions will be for a period of two years, and could start in the second half of 2014.

The project is financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF Research Professorship to Florian Altermatt from August 2014 onwards).

For further information, consult http://homepages.eawag.ch/~altermfl/Home.html, http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/index.html, www.eawag.ch or directly contact Dr. Florian Altermatt: Tel: +41 58 765 55 92, E-mail: florian.altermatt@eawag.ch

Applications must be submitted by 10th May 2014 and should include a motivation letter with a description of pertinent experience, a complete CV (incl. publication list), the names (with e-mail addresses) of three academic references, and copies of certificates of academic qualifications. The application should be submitted as one single pdf-file.

We look forward to receiving your application through this webpage, any other way of applying will not be considered. Please click on the link below, this will take you directly to the application form.
http://internet1.refline.ch/673277/0266/++publications++/3/index.html …