Title: Paleoclimatic effects on the evolutionary dynamics of forest tree lineages

Research Area and Project Description:

This postdoc project is part of a new the Danish Council for Independent Research | Natural Sciences (FNU) project “Paleoclimatic stability and the evolutionary ecosystem ecology of Earth’s forests (STABFOR)”.

The objective of STABFOR is to test the hypothesis that the ecology of Earth’s forest are shaped by paleoclimatic stability. The project’s large-scale nature and tree longevity preclude an experimental approach. Instead, we will employ ecoinformatics, assembling and analyzing large data sets on species composition, traits, phylogenies, ecosystem structure and functioning, environments, and paleoclimate. The postdoc project will assess if evolutionary dynamics of forest tree lineages (diversification rates, niche evolution, niche space filling) are shaped by paleoclimatic stability using phyloinformatics in combination with ecoinformatics (e.g., climatic niche modelling, trait-based niche estimation).

Qualifications and Specific Competences:
Applicants to the postdoc position must have PhD degree in ecology or evolutionary biology (or equivalent) or have submitted their PhD thesis for assessment before the application deadline.

All postdoc candidates are expected to provide cutting-edge expertise in advanced statistical analyses of large data sets (including strong skills in R) and in phylogenetic analyses, and to have a solid ecological background and strong collaborative skills, and to have proven abilities to publish at a high international level.

Experience in plant ecology, forest ecology or botany would also be an advantage.

The successful candidate is expected to have strong skills in English and applicants must document this.

Supervisors and collaborators: The main supervisor is prof. Jens-Christian Svenning. The project also involves prof. Brian J. Enquist (University of Arizona), prof. Robert E. Ricklefs (University of Missouri), assistant prof. Brody Sandel (AU), and Head of Collections and Director of the Herbarium Finn Borchsenius (AU).
Place of Employment and Place of Work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is the Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity Group, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 114, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The Ecoinformatics & Biodiversity Group is a diverse and vibrant research community with strong international ties. Postdocs and PhD students are encouraged to collaborate within the group, across departments and with other universities. More information about the people and research activities of the group can be found at http://bios.au.dk/en/research/sections/integrative-ecology-and-evolution/ecoinformatics/ecoinformatics-researchprofile/

Starting date: January-March 2014.

Contacts: Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact: Professor Jens-Christian Svenning, phone +45 28992304 (cell) or 87156571 (office). e-mail: svenning@biology.au.dk

Formalities and salary range
The Faculty of Science refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). The recommended level of detail.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

Deadline
All applications must be made online and received by 20 September 2013.

Please apply online here
http://www.au.dk/en/job/nat/academicpositions/

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