---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Loos, Jacqueline <jacqueline.loos@agr.uni-goettingen.de>
Date: 24 February 2017 at 09:57
Subject: PHD position South Africa
Dear colleagues,
Please distribute the attached as you see fit. Deadline is 28 February.
In short: PhD position based in Goettingen, Germany, supervised by Dr. Jacqueline Loos. Fieldwork will take place in South Africa.
Focus is on butterflies, landscape ecology, agricultural intensification, social-ecological context.
Deadline is 28 February 2017.
Thank you
PhD position in Agroecology: "A biodiversity hotspot faces intensification of viticulture:
The role of fynbos remnants for the conservation of butterflies"
Start: 15th April 2017. 3-year position (TV-L E13 65%)
Biodiversity hotspots are global priority areas for nature conservation, as they contain numerous endemic
species and have lost much natural habitat in the past. One example is the Fynbos biome within the Cape
Floristic Region in South Africa, which is under pressure due to land-use change. Here, viticulture
increasingly expands into remnants of Renosterveld vegetation, with unpredictable consequences for the
associated fauna. Whether an integrative conservation approach may offer solutions both for biodiversity
and human well-being in these landscapes is yet
unexplored and would need profound
understanding of the complex social-ecological
interactions. This research project aims at
understanding both the responses of species
towards their environment and the underlying
mechanisms that drive anthropogenic land-use
change. Through the lens of interdisciplinary
landscape sustainability science, this project uses
butterflies as target species, because they are of
high conservation concern and offer great potential
for ecological and ethno-cultural studies.
Biodiversity patterns of butterflies will be tested in
response to different and interacting biophysical
and socio-economic settings. Moreover, by using
butterflies as boundary objects between human
and nature in this study, the underlying intrinsic
values which humans assign to biodiversity will be unraveled. The three following hypotheses shall be
tested: (1) The amount, the size, the connectivity, and the quality of native Renosterveld vegetation patches
determine the viability of endangered butterfly
populations. (2) Butterfly diversity changes along a
gradient of spatial heterogeneity of the agricultural
mosaic. (3) Socio-economic settings and the values held
by local land managers influence biodiversity patterns.
Existing distribution and habitat data in the Swartland shall
be synthesised for endangered butterflies, which will then
be surveyed in habitat remnants of Renosterveld
vegetation. Butterfly diversity shall then be assessed
along a land-use gradient cross the entire landscape.
Data on the environment, the socio-economy and the
underlying value system of land managers shall be
collected. Various aspects of butterfly diversity shall be
statistically modelled for responses to different biophysical
and anthropogenic settings. The outcome of this research
project shall deliver scientific evidence on how to best
shape ecologically meaningful and socially acceptable
solutions for a sustainable land management in one the
most important biodiversity hotspots on Earth.
Requirements
• Master´s or equivalent degree in ecology/biology, sustainability science, agriculture or related
disciplines
• Experience in field research, preferably in botany and/or entomology
• Capacity to formulate and solve research problems and effectively interpret research results
• Basic knowledge in ecological statistics and GIS
Cultivated fields encorach into Renosterveld remnants
(source: Wikipedia)
The endangered Schloz´s opal is only one of many
endemic species in the Swartland, South Africa
(source: Benton Blue Trust)
• Willingness to work interdisciplinary and in collaboration with colleagues in an
international setting
• Fluency in written and spoken English
How to apply
The application should include:
• CV including information about former academic education and degrees, professional experience,
list of publications (if any), fellowships/awards, conference contributions, language skills and further
relevant skills and abilities
• Cover letter stating the candidate´s research interests and motivation to join the project
• Names (with email address) of at least two references
• Master´s thesis abstract
The application portal for this position can be found here:
http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/305402.html?cid=100170.
The application period ends on February 28th, 2017. For further information, please contact Dr. Jacqueline
Loos, (jloos@gwdg.de).
Göttingen University is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career
opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply. Göttingen University
is a family-friendly employer and supports the compatibility of research and family. Disabled persons with
equivalent aptitude will be preferentially considered. All application files will be deleted after three months.
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