Post-doc and PhD positions available at the Institute
of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland
One post-doc and one PhD position are available within
research project “Beneficial insects in
agricultural landscape: modelling effect of pesticides and landscape structure”.
The project will be run by the Institute of Environmental Sciences,
Jagiellonian University in Kraków, in cooperation with the Department of
Bioscience, Aarhus University in Denmark. The project aims at developing the
population landscape models allowing for the assessment of the relative
importance of pesticide toxicity and landscape structure for non-target
arthropods (NTA) populations. The project will use field and laboratory studies
as well as simulation modelling. The studies will be performed on two species,
representative from the point of view of the project aims: the mason bee (Osmia rufa = O. bicornis) as the common pollinator with well-known biology and
the carabid beetle Bembidion lampros
for which the model has already been formulated for Danish agricultural
landscape. As the model of choice we will use ALMaSS (Animal, Landscape and Man
Simulation System) – an ABM-type (agent based models) model. In the first
stage, the model for B. lampros will
be adopted to Polish conditions, with special emphasis on the large variability
of Polish agricultural landscape structure, differentiated between large-scale
farming and very small family farms. The model will also incorporate new data
from toxicity tests for insecticides most commonly used in Poland. In parallel,
at two representative landscapes the population dynamics of the beetle will be
monitored together with applied agricultural treatments. In the next step, data
will be gathered to parameterize the model for O. rufa. In the areas selected for the studies, representing
different landscape structures, detailed studies on O. rufa behaviour will be performed, regarding time spent in the
fields and outside, dispersion range, plants used for food, etc. In the
laboratory studies, the sensitivity of different life stages of O. rufa to currently used pesticides
will be assessed. The data will be used for model parameterization, allowing
for long-term predictions of pesticide effects in different agricultural
landscapes and for simulations of different scenarios of land use.
The post-doc
position is
available for 24 months, starting approximately in September/October 2016. Main
tasks of the post-doc will be: developing GIS maps, building and parameterizing
ALMaSS modules, writing research reports, participating in drafting scientific
papers. The first task of the post-doc will be to gather Polish data on
landscape structure and use to implement them into GIS in cooperation with the
Danish partner. The post-doc will be also required to spend approximately 3
months in Denmark collaborating with the Danish team to learn and work on
ALMaSS models. The visits will be arranged as three or four separate travels,
depending on the needs and the learning curve.
The successful candidate will hold a PhD degree, have
excellent scientific record and experience in GIS and should have some
experience in programming (C++ and Python preferred). Good command of English
and Polish is indispensable (the work will require communicating with local
farmers and managers in Poland).
The gross salary is ca. 5000 PLN (net ca. 3500 PLN).
The PhD
position is
available for 34 months, starting October 2016. The main tasks of the PhD
candidate will be: collecting data on biology and ecology of the study species,
performing experiments on toxicity and toxicokinetics of pesticides,
cooperating in field studies and writing research reports and papers. The
successful candidate will also spend two short-term visits in the collaborating
team in Denmark to learn basics of ALMaSS in order to enable the candidate to
actively participate in parameterizing the model.
The successful candidate will have good university and
scientific record, experience outside his/her own university, good command of
English and Polish (the work will require communicating with local farmers and
managers in Poland), and will be ready to undertake the ambitious programme of
laboratory and field studies. The candidate is expected to complete a PhD
thesis in three years.
The fellowship is 3000 PLN net for 34 months.
Candidates should submit their applications
electronically, as e-mail attachments, to Prof. Ryszard Laskowski (ryszard.laskowski@uj.edu.pl). The application should include CV
and e-mail addresses to at least two referees familiar with the candidate’s
work. The deadline for submitting the applications is August 31st.
