Student Opportunity Announcements
PhD Student Position in Ecological Stoichiometry
– The stoichiometry of food webs (StoichioWeb)
Announced by the Department of Ecology and Environmental
Science (EMG) www.emg.umu.se
Project description
Ecological stoichiometry is a relatively novel approach that
yields exciting, often-counter-intuitive predictions linking the
chemical composition of organisms to the biogeochemical
cycles of elements in ecosystems. Yet, most of these
breakthroughs come from studies of bi-trophic interactions
(mainly plant-herbivore and plant-decomposer interactions).
Hence, a whole field of investigations is still open in front of
this approach, since most natural food webs contain more
than two trophic levels. Interestingly, novel theoretical work
has shown that ecosystem dynamics observed in simplified 2-
level systems can be substantially modified in a more realistic
multi-trophic context.
This project is a dual modeling and experimental investigation
of the mechanisms underlying the impacts of the elemental
composition of organisms on the cycles of elements in
ecosystems harboring multi-trophic food webs. In
microcosms, you will assemble food webs from representative
species of the basic trophic levels (primary producers,
herbivores, microbial decomposers, microbivores). You will
then assess the effects of the elemental stoichiometry of given
trophic levels on the dynamics of the food web and on
important biogeochemical functions (e.g., carbon fixation,
nutrient uptake, carbon and nutrient mineralization) by
experimentally adding/subtracting trophic levels or
manipulating nutrient inputs. You will use predictions from
mathematical models that you will have built beforehand as a
guide for these experiments.
Requirements
The recruitment procedure for the position is in accordance
with the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen
Chapter 5 and 7). Prerequisites include either i) 240 ECTS
credits (Swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education studies of
which 60 should be on an advanced level (Master level), or ii)
120 Swedish (old) credits (Swe. poäng; corresponding to 180
ECTS credits) of higher education studies if they were taken
before July 1, 2007 or equivalent competence.
Anyone who, prior to July 1, 2007, had acquired qualifications
meeting the general admission requirements for third-cycle
studies then in force, i.e. first-level studies comprising at least
120 credits, or substantially equivalent knowledge acquired in
Sweden or abroad, shall be deemed to meet the current
general entry requirements, but no later than until the end of
June 2015 (Higher Education Ordinance, Ch. 12, item 11).
The successful candidate should show creativity and initiative
and be open to working in a spirit of cooperation. A
background in ecological modeling and/or experience with
laboratory cultures is highly desirable. A good ability to read,
write and speak English is essential.
Application
The application should include a short description of your
research interests and, more precisely, why you are interested
in the position, a CV, certificates from higher education,
copies of relevant diplomas, and contact information for 2
reference persons. The application should be written in
Swedish or English and can be submitted either electronically
(MS Word or PDF format) or in hard-copy (3 copies) form. For
more information, contact Mehdi Cherif, +46-(0)90-786 92
39,
e-mail: mehdi.cherif@emg.umu.se.
Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53
65, SEKO, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54
31.
The procedure for recruitment for the position is in
accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapt. 12, 2
§) and the decision regarding the position cannot be
appealed.
Your complete application, marked with reference number
313-759-12, should be sent to jobb@umu.se (state the
reference number as subject) or to the Registrar, Umeå
University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive October 1,
2012 at the latest.
We look forward to receiving your application!