Eurizon.eu

Organization: Royal Netherlands Academy for Arts and Sciences

Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Field: Physics

Requirements:

We are looking for an ecologist interested in doing experimental work in China. The candidate should be able to work independently, have a strong background in doing fieldwork, and must be able to analyze large datasets with advanced statistical methods. Other computer skills, such as working with GIS is a benefit Candidates should be capable to organize their own work and interact fruitfully with the other researchers in the project. Good communicational and social skills are very important. The candidate should give top priority to publishing all research results in peer reviewed international journals.

Abstract:

General background: The Yellow River delta (YRD) in China has experienced river channel diversions, changes in sediment loads, large scale land reclamations and intensification of marine aquaculture. Resulting increased turbidity and nutrient enrichment affects coastal ecosystems, but in depth analyses are lacking so that effects of future developments remain unpredictable.

Description:

General background: The Yellow River delta (YRD) in China has experienced river channel diversions, changes in sediment loads, large scale land reclamations and intensification of marine aquaculture. Resulting increased turbidity and nutrient enrichment affects coastal ecosystems, but in depth analyses are lacking so that effects of future developments remain unpredictable. Within a collaborative project between the department of Spatial Ecology of the CEME, The Radboud University Nijmegen and the Laboratory of Coastal Ecology and Environment from the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, we aim to study of the effects of ongoing anthropogenic developments via their effect on turbidity and nutrients, on the macroflora (seagrasses and macro-algae) and macrobenthos in the YR-delta. Research topic: In the present project we will study two important marine communities that differ in their response to changes in the abiotic environment: macroflora (seagrasses and macro-algae) and macrobenthos. Macroflora is likely to collapse under deteriorating conditions following alternative stable states (ASS) theory, meaning that they experience sudden collapse and thresholds for recovery. Macrobenthos rather shows gradual shifts in species composition in response to changing abiotic conditions, making macrobenthos highly suitable as a long-term indicator for ecosystem health status. In the project, we aim to develop indicators of nearness of macroflora collapse by combining 1) correlative methods to determine if we can use abiotic variables and macrobenthos community structure as indicator, with 2) manipulative experiments in which we quantify how changes in turbidity (ólight-level), soil chemistry and nutrient conditions may induce shifts in macroflora species composition and collapse. In these manipulative studies, we will also determine the influence of sediment stabilizing vs sediment de-stabilizing macrobenthic animals on this collapse. Overall, the project will generate i) large-scale knowledge on the influence of anthropogenic activities on the spatial distribution of macroflora and macrobenthos as ecosystem health indicators, ii) insight in which process causes macroflora collapse, and iii) indicators for nearness of such collapse. The PhD appointed is required to spend extended periods of time in China, to do fieldwork. The first field exploration will be carried out by the Chinese partners around May 2011, Based on their inventories, additional field campaigns and manipulative field experiments will be planned.
 
Appointment: The appointment will be for 4 years, with an initial 1-year evaluation period. The position aims to start around May 2011. Supervision of the project is by a multidisciplinary group of ecologists (NIOO-CEME, R U Nijmegen and Yantai instititue). Salary: The gross salary starts at € 2.042,- per month in the 1st year, and will gradually increase to a maximum of € 2.612,- per month in the 4th year, scale P, Collective Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-Nederlandse Universiteiten), excluding 8% holiday pay and a year-end bonus. We offer an extensive package of fringe benefits. Location: The Centre for Estuarine and Marine Ecology (NIOO-CEME) in Yerseke, The Netherlands. Yerseke is situated in a beautiful estuarine area, with major cities like Antwerp, Brussels and Rotterdam nearby. During the fieldwork in China, the PhD candidate will stay at the Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, located in the beautiful coastal city-Yantai, Shandong, eastern part of Shandong Peninsula. the field work area is nearby the mouth of Yellow River,the, largest sandy river and the fifth largest river around the world. For details YICCAS see http://english.yic.cas.cn/au/bi/.

Deadline: 15-04-2011

Contacts:

Link: http://www.knaw.nl/

Email: receptie-ceme@nioo.knaw.nl

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