We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctorate associate with a solid mathematical/analytical background to join a research team on investigating the spatio-temporal processes underlying the structure of weed communities.
Recent studies over several European countries have shown the dramatic decrease of the specific weed diversity in industrialized agriculture over the last decades. On the basis of extensive regional and national long-term datasets, the post-doctorate will investigate the mechanisms that shape weed community structure in various crop types in France. The research will focus on quantifying the relative importance of temporal (i.e. crop rotations) and/or spatial (i.e. landscape structure and fragmentation) heterogeneities on the composition of weed communities and their associated biodiversity value. The relative effects of other mechanisms such as environmental properties (climatic, soil, topographic), plant functional traits and agriculture practices could also be investigated. The post-doctorate will work in the Biology and Management of Weeds lab, as a member of the research unit consisting of research staff, technical assistants, Ph.D., masters and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows. The lab is located in INRA Dijon in a scientifically rich environment for agro-ecology. The position will provide with excellent opportunities for publications.
The post-doctorate position requires an independent and highly motivated researcher with excellent English writing and data analysis skills (advanced knowledge of statistics under R platform), who has
a keen interest in population and community dynamics, evolution and spatio-temporal modelling. The applicant should have a PhD in evolution or applied statistics, and experience in theoretical and applied studies. Experience in community evolution will be an asset.
The post is open from 1st September 2008, for one year. It may be renewable for a second year subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is open to all nationalities with the exception of French citizen. PhD thesis should have been defended less than 5 years ago. The fellowship amount is of 2000€ after taxes per month (health care is included). Dijon offers the pleasant environment of the Burgundy region, with gastronomy, historical interest and nice natural environmental surroundings. Paris is at around 1 h 40 min by TGV train.
*Deadline for application*: 30 June 2008.
Please send by e-mail your application, including CV, names of two reference persons and a brief statement of research interest to: Sabrina Gaba (sabrina.gaba@dijon.inra.fr)
Sandrine Petit (_sapetit@dijon.inra.fr)
UMR INRA-ENESAD-Université de Bourgogne « Biologie et Gestion des Adventices »
17 rue Sully
BP 86510, 21065 Dijon Cedex, France
Tel: +33 (0)3 80 69 31 87
