We are seeking Soil Microbial Ecologists, Plant Physiologists/Ecologists or Zoologists for two postdoctoral positions to investigate how herbivory and fire influence detrital inputs into soil and how this controls the assembly and function of soil microbes and soil fauna in relation to carbon and nitrogen retention (global change) in grassland and savanna soils of South Africa. The position is part of a larger multi-disciplinary project “Soil food webs, plant productivity and global change in South African grasslands” based at the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town in SA. We seek to understand how herbivory and fire differ as consumers of above-ground biomass and what consequences this has for the structure and function of below-ground food webs and global change. The project partners include the Department of Biology and Molecular Biology, Montclair State University, USA; Department of Agronomy, Stellenbosch University, SA; Biosystematics Division, Agricultural Research Council, SA, and potentially, Conservation South Africa, and potentially, The Marin Carbon Project, California, USA.
You will sample grassland and savanna soils with a range of treatments from a range of locations including grazing trials, experimental plots and fence-lines (e.g. Kruger National Park, Grootfontein, Merino Walk in SA). Postdoc 1 will differentiate soil feeding groups (bacteria, fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi) by analysing phospholipid fatty acid profiles in soils and interpret results in conjunction with functional assays, soil faunal analyses and microcosm experiments from your peers to model the relative impact of land management, climate and geography in driving fast or slow nutrient cycling and gas fluxes via soil food webs. Postdoc 2 will do the same except the soil feeding groups will be protozoa, nematodes, arthropods, insects (Termitoidae), and earthworms, determined using routine extraction methods followed by stable isotope analysis to identify trophic levels.
The fellowships are open to any eligible persons who can carry out the project objectives. Possession of a PhD degree, which has been obtained no more than five years ago, is a minimum requirement. Candidates who are presently doctoral students must have handed in their theses by the time of registration. Eligible candidates may not have previously held any academic or professional permanent positions.
The research to be conducted will be under the primary supervision of Heidi-Jayne Hawkins and Michael D Cramer (members of the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town) with co-supervision from other institutions. As part of the successful candidate’s professional development, the opportunity to participate in limited teaching and supervision of senior students in the Department will be offered. The tenure of the position is 24 months, with the commencement date preferably within the second or third quarter of 2017.
Applications must include the following:
1. A 1-page proposal including a motivation and a description of how you will materially contribute to the project,
2. Your full curriculum vitae and list of publications,
3. Reports from three referees who must be requested to email the references directly to the Head of Department at the email address below,
4. Certified copies of all academic transcripts and degree certificates,
5. Written endorsement by the host (principle investigator) of the proposed project. This also should be emailed directly to the Head of Department.
Applications will be considered by a group comprising the project investigators.
Applications must be submitted electronically to the Head of Department, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town (
[email protected])
by no later than 27 March 2017.
Information on faculty structure and academic departments can be found on the UCT website at
http://www.uct.ac.zaAll applicants are subject to the policies surrounding the postdoctoral sector at the University of Cape Town.
Further information is available from: Ms Claire Khai, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
Email:
[email protected] Telephone number +27 21 6503604 Fax number +27 21 6503301
The University of Cape Town reserves the right to make no awards at all; to cancel the award if the conditions are not met, and to effect changes to the conditions of the award.
