PhD. Student: Food Web Model by Ecological Network Analysis (ENA) for a Western Wadden Sea Ecosystem, the Balgzand Area

At the Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) Texel /The Netherlands within this project we have an opportunity for a

PhD. Student (vacancy number 2011-084)

Food web model by ecological network analysis (ENA) for a western Wadden Sea ecosystem, the Balgzand area

Tasks: A food web model has to be described for the Balgzand area as a representative area for the Southern and Western part of the Wadden Sea. The candidate will have a strong theoretical background and preferably a focus in microbial ecology including plankton ecology and will be responsible for the description of the total Balgzand food web from bacteria to birds and mammals. For the higher organisms he will cooperate with the PhD students of the other main workpackages and the integrated workpackages.

General skills and experience: The candidate should have a completed postgraduate degree (Master, Diploma) in Biology, Ecology (especially Marine Ecology) or Environmental Science.

Project specific preconditions: The candidate has to be interested in food webs and should have a broad background in ecology. His theoretical skills should include interest in mathematics and modelling. Experience in static models, such as ECOPATH or ENA (Ecological network analysis) will be welcome. Also practical experience in coastal research will be helpful. It would be of advantage if the focus of the doctoral student would lie either on benthic or pelagic micro-primary producers, the microbial loop or on zooplankton, especially gelatinous zooplankton.

Information: for more information about the project you can contact Dr. Katja Philippart Katja.philippart@nioz.nl  or Dr. Henk van der Veer henk.van.der.veer@nioz.nl , or otherwise from Ms. JolandaEvers, HRM department +31 222 369371, Jolanda.evers@nioz.nl

Applicants should send a cover letter with motivation for this project, CV,  the name and email address of two referees, to the Human Resources Department attended to Ms. Jolanda Evers, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, the Netherlands, or preferably per e-mail to:jobs@nioz.nl 

Please quote the vacancy number in your application.

Closing date: Applications can be submitted until  January 31st  2012, or until a qualified candidate is identified.