PhD position in fish ecology at ZMT Bremen

The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology GmbH ( www.zmt-bremen.de ) 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 ecosystems such as mangroves, coral reefs, sea grass meadows as well as rivers, estuaries and the adjacent coastal waters. It addresses issues related to the functioning of these habitats, their interactions with the hinterland and the open ocean as well as their response to anthropogenic interventions and climate change. To cover the entire complexity of interactions between humans and the environment, the ZMT conducts research with an interdisciplinary approach, which includes both natural science and social science working groups.

Leibniz-ZMT GmbH currently offers a PhD-position in the field of fish ecology

Large areas of SE Asian peatlands are located mainly in the coastal plains on the islands of Sumatra. During the past decades, the rapid decline of peat swamp forests exceeds that of mangroves and tropical rain forests. It is most likely that these peat swamps will disappear within the next ~100 years.

As in most tropical floodplains there is a tendency to permanent or periodical hypoxia in the water. Low pH and dissolved oxygen concentrations are indicative of a generally unfavorable environment for fish. If fish survive and reproduce under such conditions special adaptation strategies do occur.

It is the main topic of the study to study the impact of these two parameters and their synergetic effect on fish occurring naturally in peat swamps.

Requirements
- Excellent aquatic biologist with field work experience
- Eagerness to work for several months in the tropics
- Language skills in Indonesian Bahasa would be helpful in the field

Applications should include a short outline of research interests and experience, two letters of reference, and a complete CV by email in a single pdf-file. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. For financial reasons we cannot refund travel expenses.

ZMT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons with comparable qualification receive preferential status. Applicants of any nationality are eligible to apply for this position. Applicants should hold a Master or “Diploma” degree as specified above. We seek excellent and highly motivated candidates with team spirit and interest in multidisciplinary research. Proficiency in English is mandatory. The position is for a 3-year period. Salary will be according to the German TV-L E13 (50%). The call is open until filled with an initial application review date of December 1st, 2011.

Contact
Prof. Ulrich Saint-Paul, Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology, Fahrenheitstraße 6, 28359 Bremen, Germany
+49 421 2380022, <mailto:ulrich.saint-paul@zmt-bremen.de> ulrich.saint-paul@zmt-bremen.de, www.zmt-bremen.de