Dr Greve from the University of Pretoria is currently advertising a PhD project investigating the diversity in plants, and fungal communities associated with plants. This project will assess the patterns and ecological drivers of these communities at different spatial scales on sub-Antarctic Marion Island. The work will provide insight into the role of different abiotic and biotic variables, as well as spatial factors, on the distribution of both native and invasive species, and will feed into predictions of how climate change may affect diversity on the island, and in the region, into the future.
The successful candidates will be based in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Pretoria, and will collaborate with the Forest and Biotechnology Institute (FABI) at the same university. They will be integrated into a larger group of postgraduate students working in sub-Antarctic ecology and will be expected to start in January 2019.
Requirements:
- An MSc in ecology, environmental science, botany, zoology, geography, genetics, applied mathematics or similar,
- Excellent writing skills,
- Good numerical skills, including competency in Excel,
- A strong statistical/mathematical background,
- Ability to work independently, and
- South African citizenship.
Recommendations
- Experience with working on large datasets,
- Experience of working in R,
- Experience in GIS,
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals, and
- Background in genetics/molecular techniques.
Bursary Value
R 100 000 p.a. for three years, with a possibility of an annual top-up.
Application requirements:
- A covering letter explaining the candidate’s research interest, experience and suitability for the post (in pdf format), and
- A detailed CV (in pdf format), including the email addresses and telephone numbers of at least two academic referees who supervised the applicant in the last five years.
· Copies of academic transcripts (in pdf format)
· Copy of ID document (in pdf format)
Please submit your application at https://forms.gle/9zBTyRUGQaNT43rM7. Applications close 30 October 2019. For any inquiries, contact Dr Michelle Greve at michelle.greve@up.ac.za.
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