The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) offers a four-year postdoctoral fellowship as

ZMT Junior Research Group Leader

to exceptionally qualified candidates.
 
Tropical coastal ecosystems are highly productive habitats with increasing ecological and economic importance. The Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) is dedicated to the study of these ecosystems and the services they provide to human society. The mission of ZMT is therefore the investigation of tropical marine ecosystems, their resources, their sensitivity and the responses to natural environmental changes and human interactions. The aim of ZMT is to develop concepts for integrated coastal zone management based on the scientific analysis of tropical ecosystems in their complexity. To address this topic, ZMT is designed as trans- and interdisciplinary institute.
 
The ZMT emphasizes interdisciplinary experimental and theoretical research in fields spanning tropical marine ecology, biogeochemistry, geology, ecological modeling and socioeconomics. Candidates can apply to carry out research in any of the ZMT key disciplines.
 
The fellowship can be awarded across the institute in any of the four departments: Ecology, Biogeochemistry/Geology, Social Sciences, and Ecological Modeling. Interdisciplinary proposals are particularly welcomed. The application should include a proposal for an ambitious four-year research program for the junior research group, including a defined PhD student project.
 
- Candidates are expected to have at least two years of post-doctoral experience and have obtained a PhD no more than six years prior to the date of application.
- The fellowship includes a competitive salary, a PhD student grant, and funds to support research costs. The proponent is expected to enlarge the junior research group by third-party funded projects including PhD student positions.
 
Inquiries can be directed to the director of ZMT, Prof. Dr. H. Westphal, e-mail hildegard.westphal@zmt-bremen.de
 
The members of the Leibniz Association offers a family-friendly working environment. They strongly encourage women with appropriate qualifications to apply for the positions. Women with equivalent qualifications, competence and expertise will be given preference.
 
The state government and ZMT support the employment of disabled persons. Persons with disabilities will, with appropriate qualifications and aptitudes, be employed preferentially.
 
Proposals, which should not be longer than five pages (excl. CV and publication list), will be judged primarily on the basis of scientific innovation, merit and track record. Most important is the potential for developing an independent research program that bridges gaps and expands our areas of expertise by bringing in new and innovative fields of research. Applications should be submitted - preferentially by email in a single pdf-file - to the address below. Closing date is 15.02.2012.
 
The postal address for all applications is: