PhD Position in Multi-Agent Social-Ecological Systems Modelling

PhD Position in Multi-Agent Social-Ecological Systems Modelling
The Center for Tropical Marine Ecology in Bremen (ZMT) is an independent
research institute linked with the Leibniz association. A Ph. D. position,
starting October 15th 2007 or soon thereafter, is available within the
social-ecological systems analysis group. The group pursues cooperative research
on interconnected social and natural dynamics with a focus on human/societal
aspects.

Major themes of our Indonesian research programme are:

1. Coastal livelihood rationalities (including mariculture) in a transforming
social-ecological system (SES)
2. Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) under different forms of governance and
management
3. Fisheries development strategies in Spermonde Archipelago (including
analyses of blast fishing)
4. Social-ecological knowledge systems
5. Socio-economic and ecological dynamics of ornamental species (exploitation,
culture and trade)

As a part of the social-ecological analysis team, the candidate will contribute
to the ongoing Indonesian-German SPICE programme (Science for the Protection of
Indonesian coastal ecosystems) within its social science group on Livelihood
strategies and governance in coastal social-ecological systems.
You will work in Germany and on the Makassar coast and the Spermonde
archipelago, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Comparative work in other regions of
Indonesia is possible.

This particular PhD project should:

• Advance our understanding of the Spermonde Archipelago and the Makassar
Coast as dynamic social-ecological systems
• Identify major system drivers and sources of vulnerability and resilience
• Clarify the rationales behind actor behaviours within the system, especially
in relation to the expansion of mariculture and alternative income options
• Explore the potentials and limitations to representing social-ecological
dynamics through participatory agent-based modelling

The successful candidate should:

a) Have knowledge and experience of agent-based modeling and an interest in
applying it to questions surrounding the relations of people and natural systems
in interactive, participatory ways and in cooperation with SPICE social and
natural scientists
b) have experience/ interest in interdisciplinary analysis on
social-ecological themes
c) be able to read, speak and write English to a high scientific standard
(e.g. TOEFL)
d) be willing to spend longer periods in South Sulawesi
e) be able and ready to adapt to different cultures
f) possess good communication and team work skills

Command of the Indonesian language would be an advantage.

The Center for Tropical Marine Ecology is an equal opportunity employer and
encourages female scientists and persons with disabilities to apply.
Applications of handicapped persons will be favoured when all other
qualifications are equal. The post is for two years initially with the
possibility of extension for a third year. Payment is according to the German
public wage agreement (at 50% of TVL Entgeltgruppe 13).

Contact Person: Please send your application letter which gives a clear outline
of what you propose to do, you C.V., copy of M.Sc. or German Diplom Certificate
(online via pdf or surface mail) by September 15th, 2007 to:

Dr Marion Glaser
Centre for Tropical Marine Ecology
Fahrenheitstr. 6
28359 Bremen
Germany
mglaser@...