PhD Positions, Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung, Germany (2017)

The Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), a member institution of the Leibniz Association, with almost 800 employees and its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, is conducting advanced natural history research with leading research institutions in six federal states. The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (BiK-F) is exploring in this context the interactions between organismic biodiversity and climate.

For the cooperation project “South Hesse Oak Project“ (SHOP) between SGN and Goethe University Frankfurt, Prof. Thomas Hickler (BiK-F) and Prof. Wolfgang Brüggemann invite applications for a PhD Position (part-time position, 50%)

SHOP analyses the potential use of Mediterranean oak species as replacement species for Central European oaks in south German forests prone to climate change-induced drought situations. We have established experimental oak plantations in forest situations in South Hesse as well as in the Science Garden of Goethe University, where we study the physiology of oaks under drought conditions. Measuring systems involved include photosynthesis, sap flow analyses and analyses of chlorophyll fluorescence as well as expression studies of
drought induced mRNAs.

Your tasks
· You will conduct physiological measurements and gene expression studies on trees in the Science Garden of Goethe University and in forest structures in the Rhine-Main area

Your profile
· You hold a Master’s degree / Diploma in biology or in another related field
· You have strong experience in experimental plant sciences and/or molecular biology methods
· A strong willingness for interdisciplinary research integrating plant molecular biology, physiology and modelling plant systems

What is awaiting you?
· An interesting task in a young, dynamic team of researchers in an internationally renowned research institution
· The opportunity to gain experience in the abovementioned research techniques
· The occasion to build a network with scientists in interdisciplinary fields in Germany.
· The possibility to obtain a PhD degree at a well-renowned research university in a top field of applied climate change related biological research.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with a public service position in Germany (TV-H E13, 50%). The contract shall start no later than January 1st, 2017 and will be limited until December 31st, 2019. The Senckenberg Research Institute supports equal opportunity of men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply.

Equally qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference. The duty station will be at the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The employer is the Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung.

Further details at the attached file: