PhD position (m/f/d) in Migration Ecology

About us

The research focus of the Migration Ecology Group is on stopover and flight ecology, the spatiotemporal organisation of bird migration, orientation/navigation, and the eco-evolutionary functions of migration. The position is embedded in a project on the migration ecology of the northern wheatear (Oenanthe oenanthe) breeding on the island of Norderney.

Further information about the working group can be found at https://uol.de/en/migration-ecology. 

Your tasks

The successful candidate will focus on three main objectives: i) Quantifying pre-migratory flight behaviour in juvenile and adult northern wheatears. ii) Factors influencing the start of autumn migration. iii) Carry-over effects on the arrival time on the breeding area. Large parts of the field study have already been conducted, so the focus will be on data analysis, though fieldwork will be continued for several years. The combination of an array of radio receiving stations (Motus, https://motus.org/) in the North Sea and radio-transmitters running for > 1 year will enable the candidate to record the spatiotemporal characteristics of the pre-migratory flights, the start of autumn migration and subsequent breeding area arrival timing in detail. 

Main responsibilities 

• analysing complex radio-tracking data derived from a large-scale array of multiple Motus radio receiving stations (using R, including writing complex functions to extract certain behavioural traits, potentially in combination with AI),
• statistical analyses of multifaceted and large data sets using R,
• conducting field studies on Norderney for several weeks during the three years,
• formulating and solving scientific problems and interpreting research results,
• collaborating with other scientists of the university and beyond
• writing scientific publications and presenting results at international conferences

The workplace will be at the University of Oldenburg in the working group “Migration Ecology”.

Your profile

We seek a smart and highly motivated student with 

• a university degree (Diploma (Uni) or Master) in a relevant subject, e.g. biology, zoology, ecology, but also physics, mathematics, if a strong interest in ecological topics is shown,
• general interest in bird migration, movement ecology and orientation/navigation,
• extensive experience with the statistical software R (including modelling and programming),
• ability to work with and statistically analyse large datasets,
• interest in biological/ornithological fieldwork,
• motivation for fieldwork on the island of Norderney for several weeks each year,
• ability to work both independently and creatively and as part of a team and
• excellent oral and written communication skills in English.

We Offer

• a friendly, cooperative and productive working group
• support with strategic planning of your current and future scientific career
• the freedom to develop your own research profile within the area of the project
• access to technicians in the lab and in the field
• a large-scale network of MOTUS radio-receiving stations in the German Bight
• excellent opportunities to build and expand your professional network with international scientists
• optional scientific education in the Graduate school OLTECH at the University of Oldenburg (https://uol.de/oltech)

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Further information

An earlier or later start date can be agreed.

The position is paid according to TVL E13 (https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/c/t/rechner/tv-l/allg?id=tv-l-2024&matrix=1) with 65% of the regular working hours. 

Contact:

For questions, contact Prof. Dr Heiko Schmaljohann via e-mail, heiko.schmaljohann@uni-oldenburg.de