PhD scholarship: Fen Restoration
A 3-year PhD position is available at the Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. The start date is June 1, 2017. The position will be integrated in the project “Mapping, restoring and managing groundwater dependent groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems”. The project brings together partners from Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, and Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. The project is funded by the Aage V. Jensen Foundation and is coordinated with a LIFE IP project led by the Danish Nature Agency.
The overall aim of the larger project is to develop methods for bio-hydrological mapping of groundwater dependent terrestrial ecosystems in river valleys and to assess methods for restoration, e.g. restored hydrology and grazing. Assessments will focus on water flow and water chemistry, vegetation structure and biodiversity. The project’s study area is Himmerland in Northern Jutland, Denmark.
The PhD project will specifically aim at assessing the effect of conservation management on vegetation structure and derived biodiversity. Management may include e.g. grazing, trampling, prescribed burning and natural succession and their interactions with hydrology. Part of the work will be to set up and maintain controlled experiments in collaboration with the project team at large. The successful candidate is expected to travel to the field sites in Himmerland on a regular basis.
The PhD work will be supervised by Associate Professor Hans Henrik Bruun, Section for Ecology and Evolution http://www1.bio.ku.dk/english/research/oe/staff/?pure=en/persons/149504.
Qualifications
An MSc in Ecology, Environmental Science or similar is a requirement. Good knowledge of the Danish flora of vascular plants is considered a very strong asset. Further skills in the natural history of relevant organisms, such as bryophytes, lichens, fungi and insects, are similarly considered assets, but not requirements. Analytical and writing skills are important assets as well. A driver’s license valid in the EU is a condition.
Application
The application must contain:
- A letter of motivation for the application with statement of research interests (max 1 page)
- A curriculum vitae (max 2 pages)
- List of publications (if applicable)
- Copy of Bachelor and Masters Diplomas and transcripts - other relevant certificates, including grades
- A short abstract of the M.Sc. thesis or equivalent
- Contact details of at least two persons for references
Procedures and shortlisting
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an expert assessment committee. Selected applicants are notified of the composition of the committee and each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant himself/herself.
The final selection of successful candidates will be made by the Head of Department, based on the recommendations of the assessment committee. Successful candidates will then be requested to formally apply for enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD school of the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen. For more information see: http://www.science.ku.dk/english/research/phd
Terms of salary and employment
Terms of appointment and payment are in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC). The starting annual salary for candidates with an MSc degree will be a minimum of DKK 309.109 (April 2016 level) plus pension contribution, with the possibility for salary negotiation.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Please forward your application via the job portal of The University of Copenhagen at Job Portal. Press “APPLY NOW” to fill in the application form.
The deadline for the application is April 1, 2017.
http://employment.ku.dk/all-vacancies/?show=892739
Hans Henrik Bruun
PhD, associate professor
University of Copenhagen
Department of Biology
Universitetsparken 15
2100 Copenhagen Ø
Denmark
tel 35321211
Academic editor for Journal of Vegetation Science
President of the Danish Ecological Society OIKOS
