A postdoc position in conservation biology/restoration ecology 80-100%

The Division of Conservation Biology at University of Bern offers:
A postdoc position in conservation biology/restoration ecology
within an applied research programme co-funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, entitled “Restoring grassland biodiversity: from degraded, species-poor to integral stable-state ecosystems”.
The research programme was launched in 2018 with the objective to develop and evaluate the effects of current and novel grassland restoration methods for converting extant, species-poor grasslands into biodiversity-rich, stable-state ecosystems. It comprises two modules: 1) a lowland module that experimentally tests pro-active restoration methods for hay meadows; and 2) a mountain module where passive restoration methods are investigated for enhancing the biodiversity of degraded, intensively managed grasslands in the Swiss Alps.
The project is led by Prof. Raphaël Arlettaz and PD Dr Jean-Yves Humbert. The successful candidate will integrate a small team that includes two PhD students and several undergraduate students.

The main task of the postdoc will be to analyse data on plants and invertebrates previously collected within the project framework and to prepare manuscripts. Specific research questions will be determined according to personal preferences. The postdoc will also be tasked with co-supervising one PhD student and several MSc and BSc students. Contribution to teaching is mandatory. Collaboration with other members of the Division and Institute of Ecology and Evolution, as well as with external partners and stakeholders is encouraged.

The ideal candidate holds a PhD degree, is familiar with agro-ecological research questions and management challenges and can justify of previous research experience in the field, assessed by a good publication record. Strong analytical and English writing skills, as well as software proficiency are requisites.

Send a letter of motivation, your CV including a list of publications, summary of PhD thesis, as well as the names, institutional addresses, emails and phone numbers of two references in a single PDF file to E-Mail schreiben.

Application deadline is 15 January 2025.