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Friday, November 24, 2006

PhD position, Fisheries Biologist/Marine Ecologist: coastal fisheries and mangroves Vietnam

Post: 4 years fulltime: 1 December 2006-1 December 2010

Background: The Interdisciplinary Research and Education Fund (INREF) of Wageningen University supports academic research on sustainable development in the South. The RESCOPAR program is an INREF program based on co-operative research between teams at Wageningen University (The Netherlands), Can Tho University (Vietnam), Mulawarman University, LIPI, Bogor University, WWF (Indonesia) and NACA (Thailand). The objective of RESCOPAR is to study the social and ecological resilience of coastal populations and aquatic resources, with an emphasis on mangrove ecosystems, shrimp culture and associated diseases and coastal fisheries. Within the framework of the INREFRESCOPAR program, there is a vacancy for a PhD student under the joint supervision of the WU Chair groups “Aquaculture and Fisheries” and “Laboratory for Geo-Information Science and Remote Sensing”.

Job description: The PhD student will quantify the effect of mangrove based shrimp ponds on the coastal fisheries of Ca Mau province, Vietnam. The study will focus on modelling the shrimpmangrove- fisheries system to predict and evaluate the effect of different spatial scenario’s of mangrove conversion on fish catches.

Requirements: You have a MSc degree in ecology, environmental sciences, fisheries or any related field. You have field experience in marine ecological and/or fisheries research. You are capable of carrying out fisheries related fieldwork and have experience in statistical data analysis. Experience in mathematical modelling and/or in GIS/Remote Sensing will be considered as a major asset. We request from the candidate a collaborative and team-player attitude, with an open mind for other scientific approaches. You are self-reliant, independent and full of initiative. You have a strong ambition to upgrade your knowledge and academic skills. Candidates with a scientific publication record are preferred. The position is open for S.E. Asian citizens only.

Admission criteria: Wageningen University has the following admission criteria for PhD students: English proficiency (TOEFL score of at least 600; Test of Written English score at least 5.0); acceptance of the candidate by the promoters (in this case, prof. dr. J.A.J. Verreth and prof. dr. A.K. Bregt) and equivalency of a Dutch MSc degree (for more information see: www.wageningenuniversiteit.nl/UK/education/programmes/
PhD+programmes/Application/

Post: The 4-years PhD study will be developed according to a WU-sandwich formula, with maximum 36 months of field work in Vietnam, and minimum 12 months data analysis, writing and training in Wageningen, the Netherlands. Fieldwork will be carried out in the coastal area of Ca Mau province. The Wageningen period will be split in 2 periods of 6 months, respectively at the start and end of the
study.

Remuneration: The candidate will be employed by Can Tho University for the duration of the study. For the months spent in the Netherlands an allowance is available in accordance with the Dutch fellowship program to cover additional costs of living and accommodation (in 2006, 850 Euro/month). A settling allowance and a lab-top will be provided.

Information: For information contact Paul van Zwieten, tel: +31-317-483920; e-mail paul.vanzwieten@wur.nl, or the HRM consultant Henk Croon tel + 31 317 4 83907, e-mail: henk.croon@wur.nl

Background information: for a brief description of the RESCOPAR program see: www.afi.wur.nl/UK/Research/RESCOPAR/

Application: Send your application, a covering letter with your motivation, a CV, and a copy of your TOEFL test score, before 10 September 2006 to prof. Dr. Johan Verreth via fax (+31-317-483937) or email (office.afi@wur.nl).

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