Application Deadline March 14, 2021 Start of the Scholarship/Programme in Cottbus: Between Oct. 1 and Dec. 1, 2021
Research Cluster “Multifunctional Landscapes under Climate Change (Multiland)” as part of the PhD Programme Environmental and Resource Management
The idea of "multifunctional landscapes" is a promising concept for reconciling food production with the provision of ecosystem services and the protection of biodiversity. This idea is related to the concept of “ecological intensification” which according to a definition by FAO may be considered as “a knowledge-intensive process that requires optimal management of nature’s ecological functions and biodiversity to improve agricultural system performance, efficiency and farmers’ livelihoods.”
In this research cluster, we will investigate selected aspects of multifunctional landscapes respectively ecological intensification as a concept for combining food production with ecosystem service preservation (in particular pest control) and biodiversity conservation under climate change. Our study systems are fruit orchards in Brandenburg, Germany.
The research cluster combines the work of four PhD students from the fields of economics, ecology, climate science and modelling. All PhD students investigate the study system from a joint perspective but applying their disciplinary knowledge. Supervisors have excellent networks all over the world and all supervisors and PhD students work closely together. This call is for one PhD scholarship in economics and one in ecology. Calls for the other two PhD scholarships will be open in early 2022.
Participants in the research cluster are as follows:
Department of Environmental Economics, Prof. Frank Wätzold
Topic 1 “Economic evaluation of biological pest control measures including adjacent semi-natural ecosystems in fruit orchards in a changing climate”: Evaluations shall include the private perspective of the farmer but also the societal perspective taking into account costs of measures and benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services to society at large and considering a changing climate.
The ideal candidate has a degree in Economics with a focus on the environment, in Agricultural Economics or in Environmental Management with a focus on economics. Knowledge of economic evaluation methods such as cost-benefit analysis, the production function approach or choice modelling is an advantage.
Department of Ecology, Prof. Klaus Birkhofer
Topic 2 “Conservation biological control and predator diversity in fruit orchards and adjacent semi-natural ecosystems in a changing climate”: Evaluations include pest control services performed by generalist predators and the diversity of local arthropod communities and how these properties relate to local management, landscape composition and climatic differences between study regions.
The ideal candidate has knowledge of terrestrial generalist predators (e.g. spiders), is motivated to perform field work and is capable to understand common statistical methods in ecology. Knowledge of R and a drivers licence are an advantage.
Department of Atmospheric Processes, Prof. Katja Trachte and Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Dept. of Ecological Modelling, and Hon. Prof. of Ecological-Economic Modelling at BTU, Prof. Martin Drechsler
THE PHD PROGRAMME ERM
The PhD Programme ERM offers an integrated approach to current national and international environmental issues helping to improve the quality of professional environmental management for the 21st century. The Programme is a full-time three-year structured programme with 180ECTS awarded, 30 of which are completed in a mandatory curriculum. Upon successful graduation (dissertation, curriculum and defense), the degree of "PhD in Environmental Sciences" is conferred by the Faculty of Environment and Natural Sciences.
VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP
The 2 scholarships starting in 2021 will be awarded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme upon completion of a multi-stage selection process:
- Applicants submit their complete application to BTU by March 14, 2021 the latest
- Video-based interview for a selection of short listed candidates conducted by BTU
- BTU nominates selected candidates to DAAD
- Selected candidates submit their complete application to DAAD via the DAAD online portal
DAAD awards the scholarship for the duration of 3 to a maximum of 4 years based on a yearly progress report by the candidate and a report by the supervisor.
- Currently € 1,200/month plus travel allowance
- Payments towards health, accident and personal liability insurance cover
- A research allowance of currently € 460/year (for candidates from emerging countries), or € 230/year (for candidates from industrialized countries)
Under certain circumstances, candidates may receive the following additional benefits:
- Allowance for accompanying family members (about € 200 per child/month and about € 275 marriage allowance/month)
- German language course (if needed; a reasonable knowledge of German is required for fieldwork and study of grey literature).
GENERAL APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- You show an excellent academic profile matching either Topic 1 or Topic 2
- You meet BTU´s application requirements for the PhD Programme in ERM (see below)
- and submit your complete application before the deadline
- At the time of nomination to DAAD, the last final exam (Master Degree or equivalent) must have taken place no more than six years ago and applicants must not have resided in Germany for more than 15 months
- According to DAAD policies, qualified applicants from emerging countries are given priority
APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
- Completed and signed application form
- Up-to-date and complete CV
- 1 page letter of motivation showing that you understand our research focus and how you fit in with your academic profile and experience
- 1 page summary of your knowledge, capacities and experience either on Topic 1 or Topic 2
- 2 reference letters by professors from your home university
- Certified copies of your higher education entrance qualification (e.g. high school diploma) and complete and final Bachelor and Master certificates and transcript of records (including a grading scale by your university) – BTU only accepts candidates who have completed university degrees (Bachelor and Master combined) of at least 300ECTS and with a final grade of 2.3 or better according to the German grading scale
- Certificate of English proficiency (for accepted tests, levels and possible exemptions see here)
- Completed and signed declaration
- If applicable: Certificates of internships, list of publications, German language certificates
Please submit your complete application in one single pdf-file to phd-application[at]b-tu.de by March 14, 2021, the latest. Incomplete or late applications or submitted in multiple pdf-files will not be considered.
CONTACT
Dr. Birte Seffert (Ms.) - PhD Programme Coordinator - environment-phd[at]b-tu.de - T +49 (0) 355 69-4633
The scholarships are funded within the Graduate School Scholarship Programme by
