Professorship “Animal ecology” (W2)

About us

The Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences (IBU) is interdisciplinary in nature and conducts basic and applied research in biology and environmental sciences with three interlinked focal areas: Neurosensory Biology/Animal Navigation, Ecology/Environmental Sciences, and Biodiversity/Evolutionary Biology. The guiding principle of the institute is ‘from genes and senses to ecosystems’, which formulates the goal of understanding the connections between molecular processes, characteristics and functions of organisms and the ecosystem. The international Cluster of Excellence ‘NaviSense’ of the University of Oldenburg aims to provide a thorough, interdisciplinary understanding of the mechanisms used by animals to navigate, and how these mechanisms can inspire technology and impact society, ecology, and biodiversity. The announced professorship of ‘Animal Ecology’ should represent animal science in research and teaching at the institute according to the guiding principle of the institute and make a central contribution to the Cluster of Excellence ‘NaviSense’.

Your tasks

• The focus of your new position will be to establish and lead an ‘Animal Ecology’ research group, which focuses on sensory ecology, population biology, conservation ecology, behavioral biology, global change, and/or animal conservation, thereby strengthening the institute in research and teaching in a team-oriented manner.
• You establish an independent ‘Animal Ecology’ research group at the institute, supported by third-party funding.
• Your research can focus on any subject related to animal ecology but must provide opportunities to have a strong connection to the Cluster of Excellence ‘NaviSense’. Active participation in other cooperative or joint projects is welcome. Opportunities for interdisciplinary connections to other institutes of the university are also desirable.
• You are actively involved in the further development of the Cluster of Excellence ‘NaviSense’ and are intensively involved in the application for the second funding period.
• You mentor and promote the academic career development of students and employees.
• In teaching, you represent the subject animal ecology in its entirety, from ecology to genetics, in the undergraduate modules of the Bachelor's programmes in ‘Environmental Sciences’ and ‘Biology’, as well as in the Master's programmes in ‘Landscape Ecology’ and ‘Biology’. Participation in the graduate school ‘Environmental Sciences and Biodiversity’ or ‘Neurosensory Science and Systems’ is desirable.
• You offer courses in German (no later than three years after appointment if German is not your native language) and English.
• As the Universities of Bremen and Oldenburg are connected by a cooperation agreement, active participation in the cooperation is expected.
• You participate in academic self-governance.
• You promote a university culture that is diverse and equitable.
   

Your profile

Requirements:

• You meet the employment requirements specified in section 25 of the Lower Saxony Higher Education Act (NHG). 
• Your expertise includes animal ecology with a research focus on sensory ecology, population biology, conservation ecology, behavioral biology, global change, and/or animal conservation, which is in alignment with the focal areas of the IBU. Your research must also include organismic aspects.
• You demonstrate your research achievements in the field of animal ecology in particular through contributions to international peer-reviewed journals.
• You link your research to at least one of the four research foci of the Cluster of Excellence ‘NaviSense’ (see https://navisense.org/research/). 
• You demonstrate an innovative research approach that enables collaboration with scientists at UOL. Submit a concrete research concept (max. 3 pages), that includes a description of previous and planned scientific collaborations, highlights the connection to the Cluster of Excellence ‚NaviSense‘ and outlines collaborations within at least one other IBU focal area.
• You demonstrate experience in successfully competing for third-party funding.
• You have some initial leadership and management experience.
• You have experience in teaching animal ecology in higher education. Submit a description of previous teaching in courses, including your role in the respective courses. In addition, submit a well-thought-out teaching concept (max. 2 pages, learning objectives, teaching methods, media, organization, connectivity to the mentioned focuses in research and teaching).
• You have a cooperative working style that promotes a diverse and equitable working environment. 
• Experience in mentoring and promoting academic career development and 
• Good German and very good English language skills. If you do not have these skills, you are expected to acquire them within three years of appointment.
   

We offer

• A creative, international and inspiring working environment. We promote interdisciplinary cooperation within the university, with universities and research institutions around the world, as well as renowned university-affiliated institutes and external research institutions.
• A wide service and advisory offers, e.g. for international researchers, for reconciling family and work or for applying for national, European and international research funding.
• A diverse range of further education offered for all career levels, as well as services for occupational health promotion.
• A certified family-friendly university on a lively and sustainable campus with good infrastructure.
• A modern workplace in a convenient location.
• A modern research infrastructure and collegial cooperation.
   

Our standards

The university is committed to transparent and quality-assured procedures. 

We aspire to increase the proportion of female professors and encourage women to apply. Women will be given preference in the selection process in case of equal qualifications.

Applications from people with disabilities or those with equal status will be given preference in the selection process in case of equal suitability, qualifications and performance. To protect your interests, please indicate in your application letter whether you have a disability or equal status.

Contact

Prof. Dr. Heiko Schmaljohann