We invite applications for a PhD position in tropical ant ecology at the University of Mainz, Germany. The PhD candidate will study and compare the ecosystem functions of ant communities in the tropical rainforests of South America and Southeast Asia. He/she will use standardized experiments to assess the performance of different ant species in a set of ecosystem functions that are related to food consumption and the defense of food resources.
The overall aims of the project are to assess functional redundancy and niche differentiation of ant communities in tropical rainforests. The studies will take place in primary and disturbed rainforests in French Guiana and Malaysian Borneo, and the results will be compared between habitats and between continents.
The position requires a recent diploma or master degree in biology or a related field. The successful candidate should be highly motivated and have experience with field experiments and entomology. A driving licence is necessary; expertise in ant identification and statistics is advantageous. The project involves a four-month stay each in French Guiana and Malaysian Borneo. The position (65% TV-L E13) is funded by the DFG and limited to three years.
Interested candidates should send applications as a single e-mail attachment (pdf) containing a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, a pdf of the Master or Diploma thesis, a letter of motivation and the addresses of two potential referees to Dr. Florian Menzel, menzelf@uni-mainz.de.
Closing date for applications is October 1st, 2011.
Starting date for the position is November 15th, 2011 or by arrangement.
For further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Dr. Florian Menzel
Evolutionary Biology
Institute of Zoology
Johannes-v.-Müller-Weg 6
D-55128 Mainz
phone: +49 6131 / 39 27 848
menzelf@uni-mainz.de