PhD Position in Rainforest Recovery through Seed Dispersal | PhD position (m/f/d) in “Rainforest recovery through seed dispersal by frugivorous birds and rodents

Job Summary

The Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre in Frankfurt am Main is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate for a part-time (50%), four-year temporary position focusing on rainforest recovery. This role is integral to the DFG Research Unit 5207, which aims to understand the functional recovery mechanisms of rainforest ecosystems in the Ecuadorian Chocó. Day-to-day tasks involve investigating the temporal dynamics of seed-dispersal networks along forest recovery gradients, conducting independent field work in tropical areas to collect interaction data between plants, birds, and rodents, and measuring functional traits. The successful candidate will also be responsible for quantitative analyses of ecological networks using R, collaborating with international researchers, and producing scientific publications and presentations. This position is ideal for an ecologist with strong quantitative skills, field experience in remote or tropical settings, and a keen interest in plant-animal interaction networks, offering a chance to contribute cutting-edge research to global biodiversity conservation.