PhD (f/m/x)

Subject: Combined effect of pesticides and environmental factors in running waters

working time: 65 % (25,35 hours / week)
limited for 3 years; prolongation up to 4 years possible
deadline for applications: the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate has been found

Your tasks:

Pesticides in water bodies have a stronger effect than previously assumed. Decisive for the ecological effect of even the lowest loads are changed environmental factors based on climate change and landscape changes, but also natural processes such as competition between individuals and species. These complex ecological relationships are to be elucidated and quantified in a mesocosm experiment. For this purpose, the Department of System-Ecotoxicology established a worldwide unique facility consisting of 47 artificial streams. The focus will be on the questions of how pesticides and other environmental stressors shape macroinvertebrate communities and how population and community dynamics alter sensitivity to pesticides? The resulting knowledge base can then be used for an appropriate risk assessment of pesticides.

You will be responsible for planning, conducting and evaluating the relevant experiments together with us. The elucidation of the relevant ecological processes will feed into the Federal Environment Agency's risk assessment.

Your profile:

• Study background in biology, environmental sciences or related disciplines.
• Strong interest in applied, ecological questions.
• Motivation to work independently and develop own ideas.
• Knowledge of the handling and identification of aquatic organisms is an advantage.
• Basic knowledge of statistics and R.

We offer:

• Top level interdisciplinary research at a research centre which enjoys an excellent reputation within Germany as well as internationally
• Excellent technical facilities
• Work in inter-disciplinary and multinational teams
• Excellent links to national and international research networks
• Support and optimal training courses by our graduate school (HIGRADE)

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