PhD Position in Trait-Based Analysis of Ocean Life

Deadline: 15 August 2012
Open to: Ecologists with proven quantitative skills or a physicists/mathematicians/engineers with a keen interest in ecology
Scholarship: According to the current rules for PhD degree students

Description

Centre for Ocean Life (www.oceanlifecentre.dk) offers one or two 3-year PhD fellowships in trait-based analysis of life in the ocean at DTU Aqua (Department of Physics and The National Institute for Aquatic Resources). The positions will start October 1st, 2012, or soon thereafter, but no later than December 31st 2012.

The project(s) should develop the basis for understanding trait distributions of life in the ocean as a function of the biotic and abiotic environment.  The project(s) may involve modeling of fish or zooplankton communities. For the modeling of the fish community, the project may be based on developing practical applications of existing trait-based models of the fish community or develop the models to move beyond “size” as a trait, e.g. benthic/pelagic habitat preference, investment in activity etc. Alternatively the project could revolved around determining trade-offs of various activities (feeding, mating etc.) of zooplankton in an experimental setting using high speed video, micro-scale PIV, or other approaches.. Measured or already determined trade-offs may be used to develop models for trade-offs and trait-distributions. Relevant traits to consider may be: size, investment into autotrophy vs. heterotrophy, feeding mode, development of protection etc. The models could take the form of optimization models or rely on already established modeling frameworks for the hydrodynamics of a water-column or a global ocean circulation model. Emphasis of the project can be experimental or modeling, or both.

Eligibility

DTU envisages an ecologist with proven quantitative skills or a physicist/mathematician/engineer with a keen interest in ecology. Candidates should have a master’s degree with an academic level equivalent to a master’s degree in engineering.

Scholarship

The salary and appointment terms are following the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment for PhD student is 3 years.

Application

They must have your online application by 15 August 2012. Open the link “apply for this job online” at the bottom of the page and fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

  • A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma
  • Excel sheet with translation of grades to the Danish grading system (see guidelines and excel spreadsheet here)

Candidates may apply prior to obtaining their master’s degree, but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Official Website

Leave a Reply