Biodemography Postdoc | University of Zurich

[arpat]

Linking Phenotypic Trait and Population Dynamics in Changing Environments

We are looking for a quantitative population ecologist / evolutionary biologist to contribute to our research program investigating the links between ecological and evolutionary processes in changing environments.

The successful candidate will investigate the demographic, plastic and evolutionary responses of biological populations to environmental change, using individual-based datasets from several natural and experimental systems. You will work with advanced statistical models to investigate nonlinear relationships between traits and life history rates, and use theoretical and/or empirical bio-demographic models to link phenotypic trait and population dynamics. You will collaborate with several research groups in Europe and North America, and develop your own independent research. There is also an opportunity to contribute to fieldwork in the French Alps (alpine marmots), the Rocky Mountains (yellow-bellied marmots) and the Kalahari Desert (meerkats). This is a unique opportunity to develop your own research within the broad framework of biodemography.

Qualifications:

• PhD degree in population ecology, evolutionary biology, demography, or a similar field, and a strong publication record.
• Ability to work independently, as well as strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong quantitative skills and experience in working with long-term datasets.
• Proficiency in statistical and/or demographic modeling in R, MATLAB, or similar.
• Knowledge of and demonstrated interest in eco-evolutionary dynamics in changing environments.

We offer a job in a dynamic research environment, where you will be an active member of the new Population Ecology Research Group at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies of the University of Zurich, based at the Irchel Campus. This is a fulltime position for two years with the possibility of an extension. Salary will be based according to the guidelines of the Swiss National Science Foundation.

Please send application material, in a single PDF file, including (1) a cover letter detailing your motivation for and expectations from this position, (2) your CV including a brief summary of your past research, and (3) contact information for two references to arpat.ozgul@ieu.uzh.ch by December 14th, 2012.

For more information, please contact Dr. Arpat Ozgul (arpat.ozgul@ieu.uzh.ch) or visit http://www.arpat.net.

Relevant references:

• Ozgul A, Childs DZ, Oli MK, Armitage KB, Blumstein DT, Olson LE, Tuljapurkar S, Coulson T (2010) Coupled dynamics of body mass and population growth in response to environmental change. Nature
• Ozgul A, Tuljapurkar S, Benton TG, Pemberton JM, Clutton-Brock TH, Coulson T (2009) The dynamics of phenotypic change and the shrinking sheep of St. Kilda. Science
• Ozgul A, Coulson T, Reynolds A, Cameron T, Benton TG (2012) Population responses to perturbations: the importance of trait-based analysis illustrated through a microcosm experiment. American Naturalist
• Coulson T (2012) Integral projections models, their construction and use in posing hypotheses in ecology. Oikos

Zurich consistently ranks amongst the places with the highest quality of life. While it offers all the pleasures of living in a bigger city, thanks to its central location and excellent public transport connections, it is extremely easy to get out of the city and head for the mountains, in both summer and winter.

PDF version