A post-doctoral position is available at the Department of Ecological Science, for the research project entitled “The Antarctic biota count (ABC): a functional trait-based approach to scale biodiversity from plot to region’’, funded by the Netherlands Polar Program of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The overall aim of this project is to deliver spatially explicit data on terrestrial biodiversity along the Antarctic Peninsula for evidence-based systematic conservation planning. This postdoc position, with its own work package and objectives, will deliver an important contribution to generate a comprehensive status of the current biodiversity of invertebrates and micro-organisms associated with vegetation along the Antarctic Peninsula region. This will form a data-driven approach to Antarctic conservation planning and provide a baseline to which future changes can be monitored. The project will be run in close collaboration with the British Antarctic Survey (UK) and the University of Birmingham (UK). FTE: 1 Job descriptionThe aim of this work package is to quantify biodiversity measures of biota associated with Antarctic cryptogams. A central question within this package is: ‘How do different cryptogam species and their functional traits contribute to Antarctic biodiversity?’ The postdoc will quantify invertebrate biodiversity of the dominant moss and lichen species through standard extraction methods. In addition, environmental-DNA will be used to detect and identify the eukaryotic DNA of the associated invertebrates and several groups of micro-organisms, such as bacteria, green algae, fungi and protozoans; and compare operational taxonomic units between cryptogam trait groups. Requirements• PhD in Ecological Sciences or comparable, with relevant research experience; The appointment will be initially for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it can be extended for a total duration of 3 years. About 75% of the time is devoted to research, the remaining 25% to education and assistance in courses. The education program is organized by the national research school Production Ecology & Resource Conservation which offers a wide range of courses in scientific methodology and professional development. What are we offering?A challenging position in a socially involved organization. On full-time basis the remuneration amounts to a minimum gross monthly salary of €2,836 (scale 10)
About Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamThe ambition of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is clear: to contribute to a better world through outstanding education and ground-breaking research. We strive to be a university where personal development and commitment to society play a leading role. A university where people from different disciplines and backgrounds collaborate to achieve innovations and to generate new knowledge. Our teaching and research encompass the entire spectrum of academic endeavor – from the humanities, the social sciences and the natural sciences through to the life sciences and the medical sciences. The Faculty of Science inspires researchers and students to find sustainable solutions for complex societal issues. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to medicines and from molecules to the moon: our teaching and research programmes cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. We share knowledge and experience with leading research institutes and industries, both here in the Netherlands and abroad. ApplicationAre you interested in this position? Please apply via the application button and upload your curriculum vitae and cover letter until December 5, 2021. The job interviews are planned for December 2021, on campus or on-line.
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