* 2 open PhD positions in the Theoretical Biology group at Bielefeld University, Germany. Application deadline January 19 *

Within the Collaborative Research Centre "A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC^3, https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/verbuende/sfb_nc3/)", I am looking for two PhD students to model the consequences of intraspecific trait variation in combination with niche choice, niche conformance (closely related to phenotypic plasticity), and niche construction. One PhD project will focus on the consequences for population performance and persistence in a changing world; the other PhD project will focus on consequences for species interactions. Also exciting collaborations with the empirical groups in the research centre on several study organisms are planned.

Research tasks (95 %)
- development of eco-evolutionary models
- mathematical analysis of models
- implementation in a programming language (e. g. R, C++, Python)
- simulation studies
- writing of scientific publications
- collaboration with other research groups within the collaborative research centre

Other tasks (5 %)
- organisation tasks in the research group and collaborative research centre

We expect:
- a university degree in a relevant scientific discipline, e. g. biology, mathematics, physics, or bioinformatics
- aspiration and ability to do a doctorate
- programming skills in at least one programming language (e. g. R, C++, Python)
- interest in both biological and mathematical questions
- excellent command of scientific English, written and oral
- motivation and communication skills to work as part of an interdisciplinary collaborative team

Preferred experience and skills:
- experience with mathematical modeling
- working knowledge of ecology and evolution

Please send your application as a single pdf to meike.wittmann@uni-bielefeld.de and put the code Wiss22102 in the subject line. The application deadline is January 19, 2022.

For full details, see the official advertisement at: https://uni-bielefeld.hr4you.org/job/view/1106/research-positions-phd-students?page_lang=en

Best wishes,

Meike Wittmann

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Meike Wittmann
Junior Professor of Theoretical Biology
Bielefeld University, Faculty of Biology
Postfach 10 01 31, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
Office: W4-101
Phone: +49 521 106 67627
meike.wittmann@uni-bielefeld.de
https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/biologie/forschung/arbeitsgruppen/theoretical/