Research Fellowship in seagrass production and isotopic C, N) discrimination (SEAPAID)

Seagrass beds are one of the most productive and economically valuable marine ecosystems. Scientific attention to these plants has strongly increased, coinciding with the growing awareness that seagrass meadows may have conspicuous impacts on the stability and morphogenesis of the coastal zone, and that they fulfil important ecological roles in the coastal environment, such as in providing food and shelter to many organisms (many of them economically important). They are one of the most endangered ecosystems, mainly because of man-driven impacts (e.g. eutrophication, coastal engineering, trawl). The management of seagrass meadows will depend largely on the understanding of its structure and dynamics. The overall aim of this project is to deepen in the knowledge of the primary production of seagrasses from the Cadiz Bay Natural Park.

Specific objectives will include:

1. Study the role of the principal stress variables (natural [temperature, light, nutrients, air exposure] and anthropogenic [eutrophication]) in the control of the seagrass ecophysiological responses and productivity.

2. Study the variability in of isotopic composition (13C and 15N) of these plants, since isotopic signatures can provide important information about the environmental conditions on which these plants grew as well as they can be used to trace carbon and nitrogen flows between source/sink systems.

3. To check if the 15N/14N ratio of seagrasses can be used for monitoring anthropogenic nutrient increases (i. e. eutrophication) in the Cadiz Bay Natural Park. Methodological approach will include a combination of laboratory studies (directed to investigate the potentially influential roles of abiotic factors in seagrass ecophysiological responses (including isotopic fractionation) and productivity with a field sampling programme (to record spatial and temporal variability in productivity and isotopic composition) as well as in situ manipulative experiments (for studying microhabitat conditions)

Job Description: The University of Cadiz is seeking to recruit an experienced researcher (4-10 years) in ecology and ecophysiology of marine benthic plants (preferably in seagrasses) and with experience in productivity estimates (growth, oxygen, fluorescence) and skills in the use of stable isotopes as a research tool. Position is for the Laboratory of Ecology at the Faculty of Marine Sciences (University of Cadiz, Spain). The position will be supported by the European FP6 Marie Curie Programme (Transfer of Knowledge). Staff from the Laboratory of Ecology (UCA) have been involved in several National projects

Focused on the controlling role of the stress variables (natural [temperature, light, nutrients, air exposure] and anthropogenic [eutophication and siltation]) on primary production of marine macrophytes (seaweeds and seagrasses). The main aim of the Marie Curie Action is that the recruited researcher will become involved in the research routine of

the laboratory. More specifically she/he must transfer to the host the proper knowledge and skills for monitoring, experimental design and data interpretation using stable isotopes (C, N) data.

Detailed job requirements: The candidate should have a PhD in Biology, Environmental Sciences or Marine Sciences or similar. In case of non-PhDs, candidates are expected to have at least four years research experience. Experience in field sampling (environmental and biological), sample handling, experimental design in marine plants-related processes (e.g. measuring primary production, growth, photosynthesis). Skills in stable isotope will be an additional advantage. The job requires field sampling and laboratory working.

Due to EU regulations for Marie Curie Actions (for further details see Annex III "Specific provision. Marie-Curie Host Fellowships for ToK, Developmental Scheme"), the candidates must be non-Spanish nationals but from an EU Member State or Associated States. At the time of appointment, the candidate may not have resided or carried out his/her main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to his/her appointment. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

The research experience of candidates (Post-doc and PhD) must be less than 10 years (full-time equivalent).

To increase the number of female scientists at UCA, applications from women candidates are encouraged.

Additional requirements: to send an E-mail indicating interest in the project, a CV, and three names of references with e-mail addresses and phone numbers to the contact person (see below). Additionally, send all this information by snail mail to the address below.

Contract Type: temporary (2 years)

Position: Experienced Researcher (4-10 years of experience)

Number of Positions: 1

Deadline: 15/09/2004

Start Date: 1//10/2004

Duration in months: 24 months

Salary: Gross monthly salary 3.135,33=80

How to apply: e-mail and snail mail.

Contact:

Dr. Jose Lucas Perez

Departamento de Biolog=EDa (=E1rea de Ecolog=EDa)

Facultad de Ciencias del Mar y Ambientales

Universidad de C=E1diz

Apartado, num. 40

11510 Puerto Real

CADIZ

SPAIN

Telephone: 34-956-016026

Fax: 34-956-016019

e-mail: joselucas.perez@uca.es

http://www2.uca.es/grup-invest/ecosist-acuaticos/