[Coral-List] 3 PhD positions in interdisciplinary group on resilience of coral reef social-ecological systems

[Dr. Sebastian Ferse]

Three PhD positions offered at the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine
Ecology (ZMT) in Bremen, Germany

 

The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) GmbH in Bremen is a
member of the Leibniz Association, which is supported by the German Federal
and State Governments. Through its research, Leibniz-ZMT GmbH contributes to
developing science-based strategies for sustainable use of tropical coastal
systems (www.zmt-bremen.de).

 

In the frame of the project ‘Resilience of Pacific Island coral reef
social-ecological systems in times of global change (REPICORE)’

 

3 PhD positions

 

(two in ecology, one in social sciences) are available as of September 15,
2013, subject to final granting of funds. The project is an
interdisciplinary approach that includes collaboration with international
experts and partners from the region. It combines social and natural
sciences in the conception and implementation of the project to achieve a
more holistic understanding of coupled social-ecological systems. It will
examine marine resource use and coastal livelihoods across three Melanesian
countries in conjunction with field assessments of reef fish and benthic
communities. The overall aim is an improved understanding of
social-ecological feedbacks that erode or strengthen coral reef resilience
and identify potentials for including information on social-ecological
resilience in coastal governance by drawing on formal and non-formal
management institutions.

 

 

Position 1: Fish community assessments and fish-habitat associations

 

The first ecology PhD position focuses on an assessment of coral reef fish
communities and associated habitat parameters. This study will assess the
relative influences of habitat, geographic setting, fishing effort and gear
use on fish community composition and functioning. Drawing on resilience
theory, the use of different univariate and multivariate parameters (such as
biomass, multivariate variability, community size structure and functional
diversity) as resilience indicators will be studied. The position is in
collaboration with Dr. Albert Norström of the Stockholm Resilience Center
and is co-supervised at the ZMT by Prof. Dr. Christian Wild.

 

Requirements: Candidates must be willing and able to work extended periods
of time at remote locations with limited infrastructure. SCUBA diving
experience is a must, preferably with a European-level scientific diving
certification. Previous experience with field work on coral reef fish
ecology, particularly in the South Pacific, is desirable. Good communication
skills, the proven ability of good scientific writing, and experience with
multivariate statistical tools are additional assets. 

 

 

Position 2: Coral reef benthic community function and dynamics

 

This position focuses on factors and processes relevant for ecosystem
functioning and resilience. Working on the same areas used in the fish
community assessment, the second ecology PhD student will address the
question what are the relative influences of local and regional
environmental and socio-economic factors on benthic community composition
and functioning. The work will include an assessment of coral community size
structure and taxonomic and morphological diversity to examine functional
diversity and population dynamics of the coral community. The position is
offered in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Maggy Nugues of CRIOBE (France) and
is co-supervised at the ZMT by Prof. Dr. Christian Wild.

 

Requirements: Candidates must be willing and able to work extended periods
of time at remote locations with limited infrastructure. SCUBA diving
experience is a must, preferably with a European-level scientific diving
certification. Previous experience with field work on coral reef ecology,
particularly in the South Pacific, is desirable. Good communication skills
and the proven ability of good scientific writing are additional assets.

 

 

Position 3: Marine resource use and coastal livelihoods

 

Working at the same field sites as the two ecology PhD candidates, the
social science PhD student will examine how socio-economic and environmental
changes influence marine resource use and management. For example, do
socio-economic changes lead to more, less, or a different use of marine
resources, and do existing management structures function adequately under
these changed circumstances? The general focus of the project will be on the
influences and interactions of market structures, demographics,
socio-economic development, fishing activity and environmental awareness.
The position is offered in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Shankar Aswani of
the University of California Santa Barbara and Prof. Dr. Joshua Cinner of
the James Cook University and is co-supervised at the ZMT by PD Dr. Marion
Glaser.

 

Requirements: Candidates must be willing and able to work extended periods
of time at remote locations with limited infrastructure. Previous experience
with socio-economic field work in tropical coastal areas, particularly in
the South Pacific, is desirable. Good communication skills, knowledge of Tok
Pisin/Pijin and/or Fijian and the proven ability of good scientific writing
are additional assets.

 

 

Application for each of the above mentioned positions:

To apply, please send a motivation letter including research interests, a
complete CV with list of publications and skills, copies of relevant
certifications and names with email addresses and phone numbers of two
referees in a single pdf-file to the address below. Only short-listed
candidates will be notified.

 

Appointments are for a duration of three years, with an earliest starting
date of September 15, 2013. The salaries for the positions are according to
the German salary group TV-L 13 for half-time positions. Closing date for
applications is August 16, 2013 or until qualified candidates are
identified. The Leibniz ZMT GmbH is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled
persons with comparable qualification receive preferential status.

 

Contact:

Dr. Sebastian Ferse

Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) GmbH

Fahrenheitstr. 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany

Tel.: +49(0)421 23800 28, e-mail: sebastian.ferse at zmt-bremen.de

 

 

_________________________

Dr. Sebastian Ferse

 

 

Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenökologie (ZMT) GmbH Leibniz Center 

 for Tropical Marine Ecology Fahrenheitstrasse 6

D-28359 Bremen

Germany

 

Phone: +49-421-238 00 28

Fax: +49-421-238 00 30

Mobile: +49-1577-237 9259

e-mail:  <mailto:sebastian.ferse at zmt-bremen.de>
sebastian.ferse at zmt-bremen.de

 

Sitz der Gesellschaft: Bremen

Registergericht: Amtsgericht Bremen

Handelsregister Nr. HRB 25746 HB

Steuer-Nr. 71/607/12036

USt.-IdNr. DE 266278207

 

Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates:

Dr. Walter Dörhage

 

Geschäftsführerin:

Prof. Dr. Hildegard Westphal