We are seeking a motivated pollination ecologist for a three years post-doc position in Israel. The research project aims to study the effect of habitat fragmentation on plant-pollinator interaction in a pollination web. The study will be conducted in the coastal area of Israel and focused on Iris atropurpurea, an endangered species. Iris atropurpurea is nectarless and is pollinated by night-sheltering male bees that are rewarded by thermal heat absorbed from sun rays in the morning (see Sapir et al., 2005 Plant Biology, and Sapir et al., 2006 Oecologia). These male bees are foraging on nectar-rewarding flowers, including some coastal endemic species, which ‘subsidize’ the Iris pollination by providing nectar to the common pollinators.

This project is funded by the Israeli Science Foundation. It is a collaboration between Prof. Amots Dafni (PI; Haifa University), Dr. Sergei Volis (Ben Gurion University) and Dr. Yuval Sapir (Tel Aviv University). The location of this position is in the Pollination Ecology lab at the Institute of Evolution, Haifa University, and salary is equivalent to $24K per year, for three years. Haifa is a very pleasant city on mount Carmel, with the view of the scenic Mediterranean coast. Cost of living is relatively low, and the city provides many cultural institutes, alongside beautiful beaches and scenic mountain hiking trails, easily approached from the city.

The successful applicant will be responsible on the quantification of the components of the pollination web constructed by the Iris flowers, nectar-rewarding species, and their common pollinators. Duties include (but not limited to) coordinating intensive team-work in the field during the flowering season (January-March), analyzing and maintaining of pollen reference library, computer analyses of fragmentation (using GIS), and working in tight collaboration with researchers, graduate and undergraduate students.

Priority will be given to candidates with a strong background in pollination ecology. Previous experience in field work is a must. Knowledge in conservation biology or entomology are a plus. Preferable commencing time of this position is 1 October 2008, and no later than 1 December 2008. To apply please send CV, short description of research interests and qualifications, and names and e-mail addresses of 2-3 references. Applications should be sent to Yuval Sapir (ysapir@bgu.ac.il) or to Amots Dafni (adafni@research.haifa.ac.il) before 20 September 2008. Any informal inquiries are welcome to the same e-mails.