Post-Doc for Theoretical Ecology and Cost-Effective Management of Invasive Species

About our Campus: The position will be based at The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment on The Hebrew University’s beautiful Rehovot Campus. Rehovot is centrally located, only a 30 minutes’ drive from Tel Aviv and one hour away from Jerusalem with public transportation. 

About our Department: The Institute of Environmental Sciences (IES) stands as a pioneering research hub within the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Our institute is dedicated to advancing both research and education in environmental sciences within the realm of agriculture. We achieve this by synergizing the diverse methodologies and expertise of over 40 research laboratories housed within the institute.

Our mission encompasses a wide array of critical issues pertinent to the 21st century. These include, but are not limited to, devising innovative solutions for agricultural and environmental challenges, particularly considering climate change's impact on agriculture and open spaces. Additionally, we address the pressing need to ensure healthy and ample nutrition for an ever-expanding global population, all while striving to preserve natural resources amidst rapid urbanization trends in our country.

About Our Research: Our laboratory specializes in the cost-effective management of ecological and environmental systems. Utilizing mathematical models, we analyze the dynamics of biological populations, employing advanced algorithms to optimize management strategies for these systems.

A key area of focus in our research involves devising methods to mitigate the accelerated spread of harmful species, including invasive species, pests, and diseases. Additionally, we investigate strategies for addressing global warming and managing harvesting activities involving multiple agents.

Our research is particularly geared towards two primary objectives:

1. Identifying cost-effective solutions for managing biological populations.
2. Developing effective environmental policies tailored to scenarios where multiple agents, such as landowners and countries, are involved in the management of the same ecosystem.

Job Description: The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for developing and analyzing mathematical models aimed at elucidating the dynamics of invasive species when subjected to management interventions by humans. Additionally, they will analyze and propose cost-effective strategies for the control of these harmful species.

The Supervisor: Your mentor, Prof. Adam Lampert, is the Principal Investigator at the lab, specializing in the modeling of environmental and ecosystem management at the Institute of Environmental Sciences. With a diverse background spanning physics and environmental science, Prof. Lampert brings extensive expertise to the study of ecological dynamics and management strategies. 

Funding: Funding is available, to be discussed with the principal investigator.

Your Profile: To excel in this role, we seek candidates with:

• Ph.D. in Ecology, Mathematics, Physics, Economics, or related field
• Excellent record of publications and experience with developing and analyzing mathematical models.

Embracing Diversity: At Hebrew University we believe that diversity inspires creativity, fosters curiosity, and enriches our ecosystem through academic collaboration and cultural exchange. We consider every member of our community an integral part, irrespective of their religion, gender, or ethnic origin.

HUJI is home to nearly 25,000 students across our 6 campuses, including ~2,500 per year representing 90+ countries. You’ll enjoy the opportunity to engage with your peers here on equal ground, in an environment that promotes equity and inclusion, and celebrates the contribution of its talented members.

Application: We welcome your application via our online portal, complete with all required documents compiled into a single PDF:

• Letter of motivation
• CV (including a list of publications)
• Brief statement of research interests (max. 1500 characters)
• Copy of your original academic degree(s)

Application deadline: Applications must be submitted through our online portal by June 30, 2024. 

About Hebrew University: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJI) is one of the world's leading research institutions, consistently ranked as a global top-100 university. Established by luminaries such as Albert Einstein, we’re at the forefront of groundbreaking research, entrepreneurship, and innovation across various domains, including brain sciences, medicine, biomedicine, life sciences, mathematics, agriculture, and more. Our 6 campuses house 100+ research centers, with ~4,000 research projects underway year-round. 

About Rehovot: 

The Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food & Environment (HUJI), the world-famous Weizmann Institute of Science, and assorted hi-tech and biotech businesses define the character of Rehovot. The ongoing influx of visiting academics from abroad helps to infuse the modern city with a truly international flavor.