211-1804/24-2H PhD fellowship in conservation science
PhD fellowship in conservation science
PhD Project developing and validating indicators of ecosystem integrity
Department of Biology
Faculty of SCIENCE
University of Copenhagen
The Department of Biology invites applicants for a PhD fellowship developing and validating indicators of ecosystem integrity. The PhD position is funded by the Aage V. Jensen Foundation and 15 June Foundation.
Start date is (expected to be) 01.10.2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
The overall aim of this PhD project is to develop and validate indicators for naturalness or ecosystem integrity, both in terms of biotic integrity, habitat-generating ecosystem processes and efficiency of legal protection in preventing threats to integrity. Transparent and auditable naturalness indicators are essential in conservation prioritization and in the assessment of goal attainment of area-based restoration actions. As a point of departure, the work will use the Danish Nature Indicator (https://naturindikator.dk/), which is a nation-scale mapping of biotic integrity, legal protection and naturalness of key ecosystem processes. The key focus will be on developing and validating key indicators in an ameliorated nature indicator. This will be carried out through 1) Developing and validating indicators for the naturalness of hydrology and nutrient status from GIS layers and field assessments; 2) Developing and validating a simple indicator for the naturalness of diversification of carbon resources with succession (“ecospace expansion”); 3) Validating an indicator for the strictness and efficiency of legal protection measures and legal obligations that limits natural processes; 4) Validating indicators of ecosystem intactness in relation to reference conditions.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of ecology and conservation science. Applicants can have a background from biology, ecology, or a closely-related fields. Applicants should hold a MSc degree or equivalent. As criteria for assessment of your qualifications, emphasis will be put on relevant work experience and previous publications (if any).
We are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious individual with good interpersonal and communication skills. Previous experience in field, database and GIS work on biodiversity and ecosystem processes, such as ecohydrology, nutrient dynamics and carbon pools, as well as statistical modelling will be considered assets.
Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement. Ability to communicate seamlessly with practitioners in Danish nature management is necessary.
Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The successful applicant will be based in the Section for Ecology and Evolution and will have a co-supervisor at the Section for Freshwater Biology, Department of Biology (BIO). The work is embedded in a larger project with key collaborators at Department of Food and Resource Economics (IFRO) and the Department of Ecoscience at Aarhus University. The section for Ecology and Evolution focusses on biodiversity and organismal biology, community ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation science. The section offers a vibrant multinational environment of faculty members, laboratory technicians, Post Docs, PhD candidates and MSc and BSc students.
The group is a part of the Department of Biology, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.
Principal supervisor is Professor Hans Henrik Bruun, hhbruun@bio.ku.dk, Direct phone: +45 35 32 12 11
The PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. biology or nature management. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mind-set with a strong interest in area-based nature conservation
- Good language skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position (max. 2 pages)
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if relevant)
- Reference letters (optional; a maximum of two)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 15 May 2024, 23:59 GMT +2.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 25.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.