Announcement of fixed-term Postdoc/Assistant Professor position in Theoretical Community Ecology (2-4 years):
The Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate (CMEC) at the University of Copenhagen offers a fixed-term Post Doc/Assistant Professor position to be hosted jointly with the Imperial College London’s Challenges in Ecosystems and Environment Initiative.
The CMEC is a long-term funded center of excellence with a cross-disciplinary research program addressing fundamental questions on the origin, maintenance, conservation and future of life and biological diversity on Earth. The 30+ researchers at the center currently represent 14 different nationalities and the working language is English. The center juxtapose faculty staff scientists from the fields of macroecology, historical biogeography, oceanography, evolutionary biology, ecology, population biology, climate change research, conservation biology and environmental economics.
The Imperial College London is a world leading university, ranked by ‘The Times Higher Education’ as 3rd best in Europe and 6th best in the world. The successful candidate will integrate the Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and the Environment initiative that brings together a multi-disciplinary group of researchers to tackle some of the greatest environmental challenges facing the world. Research will be undertaken at Silwood Park, renown for its excellence in teaching and research in ecology, population biology and evolution.
The position:
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OR POSTDOC IN THEORETICAL COMMUNITY ECOLOGY to further advance knowledge of the effects of biotic interactions on community dynamics under climate change and develop innovative approaches for modeling changes in the properties and topology of ecological networks. We are seeking a scientist with a strong background in theoretical ecology, specifically in network ecology and community ecology, and with excellent computer programming, mathematical, and modeling skills.
Further information on the positions
The selected candidate will work closely with Professor Miguel B. Araújo and Professor Carsten Rahbek and be co-hosted by the University and Copenhagen and the Imperial College London. The candidate is expected to spend roughly equal amounts of time at the two institutions. Successful candidates are expected to work partly on their own research ideas and partly engage on ongoing research projects and ideas. The successful candidate is expected work collaboratively with the PIs and with other scientists at the University of Copenhagen and the Imperial College London. For the applicants at the Assistant Professor level, we expect ambition to take research leadership and help writing major research applications for external funding.
Qualifications
The positions require a PhD-degree or corresponding scientific qualifications. The Assistant Professor positions normally require 2-3 years of postdoctoral research and an excellent track record of independent research. We seek international competitive candidates with a very strong publication record in the best international journals. Publications in high-impact general journals are expected if applying at the level of assistant Professor. Applicants should have documented strong theoretical and analytical skills and the ability to communicate within a cross-disciplinary research environment.
Length of appointment and starting time is negotiable, but expected to be 2-3 years for postdoc positions and 3-4 years for Assistant Professor positions and with a starting time between February 2014 and April 2014.
Inquiries concerning the positions can be made to Professor Carsten Rahbek, Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Universitetsparken 15, DK-2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Phone: +45 35 32 10 30; E-mail: crahbek AT bio dot ku dot dk; and to Professor Miguel B. Araújo, Grand Challenges in Ecosystems and Environment, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Buckhurst Road, Ascot SL5 7PY, UK. Email: miguel.araujo AT imperial dot ac dot uk
Terms of appointment and payment in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). The annual Postdocs salary is based on seniority and is currently between 381.840 kr. and 402.036 kr. plus pension contribution. While negotiation for salary supplement is possible, the annual salary is for Assistant Professor currently 402.036 kr. plus pension contribution.
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY ONLINE on the specific link to the specific position below. Please note that the materials that should be considered in the assessment must be attached the application form you will find under APPLY ONLINE.
Please include in the following order:
• Application letter (max 1 page). State title and level of position applied for (you may apply for both levels).
• Motivation for applying (max 0.5 page).
• Description of previous research experience (max 0.5 page).
• A brief outline of an idea for research (1 page).
• Curriculum vitae (with applicants e-mail address & telephone number) with documentation of education and complete publication list.
• Full contact details (Name, address, telephone & email) of three professional references.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
The deadline for applications is 15 December 2013. Applications or supplementary material received thereafter will not be considered.