Paleontología del siglo XXI: Postdoc desarrollando modelos de network analysis para estudios paleontológicos

Oferta compartida por Nuria


We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic researcher for a 2-year postdoc position, commencing April-May 2021. The candidate will work on understanding and modelling species interactions from the fossil record of the Las Hoyas site, a Lower Cretaceous (Barremian, 129-125 Mya) paleowetland from Spain, focusing on interspecific ecological interactions, and in applying and developing new algorithms to such end.
The position will be based at the Unit of Paleontology, Dept. of Biology at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM). Information on the department can be found at: https://www.uam.es/Ciencias/DBIO.

Our group and research
The successful candidate will be part of the Paleobiology Group at the UAM and CIPb- (Center for the integration of Paleobiology (https: //www.uam.es/UAM/CIPB?language=es). We are a small group, offering a 
creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic research and teaching environment, addressing fundamental questions on vertebrate, invertebrate and plant macroevolution, on the one hand, and the multidisciplinary study of the Las Hoyas fossil site, connecting diversity, palaeoecology and taphonomy, in particular.

Project description and your job
This project aims to describe and understand the community structure of the paleowetland, by taking a multi-species complex network modelling approach. The project’s team and collaborators are compiling data on the biotic interactions of the fossil species to integrate these into multi-species networks. The models should be implemented by programming algorithms in languages such as Python, R or Julia. The postdoc is expected to focus specifically on the multi-species network analysis and programming, but other collaborative projects are open  within the lines of research of the team (both in their areas of  expertise and research on the site) and would also be expected to assist in teaching and supervise undergrad thesis projects in the Biology Undergraduate program. The project is funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology of Spain. Principal Investigators are: J. Marugán Lobón (jesus.marugan@uam.es) and A.D. Buscalioni (angela.delgado@uam.es).

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• A PhD in sciences (Biology and Ecology preferred, but Physics, Maths and/or fields that tackle maths extensively are accepted), at the time of expected start in the position.
• A reasonable publication record in international peer-reviewed literature.
• Experience with scientific data analysis and modelling.
• Experience with a computer language such as Julia, Python or R.
• Demonstrated communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience in Paleontology and in macroevolutionary approaches.
• Experience in working with inter-specific interactions and their evolutionary and ecological consequences.
• An interest in combining paleontological field work data with modelling.
• Experience in teaching and supervising undergraduate and MSc students.
• A curious and open mind-set

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Biology, UAM, with direct collaboration with members of CIPb.
The Universidad Autónoma’s campus is situated in a beautiful suburban area less than 20’ from the city and it’s one of the best ranked universities in Spain. The city of Madrid is consistently rated among the most liveable, culturally appealing and accessible cities in the world.

Terms of employment
The employment as postdoc is a full time and fixed-term position for 2 years, starting in April-May 2021.

For further information please contact Profs. Jesús Marugán Lobón or
Angela Delgado Buscalioni.

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English to the e-mail: redek2123@gmail.com, including the following documents/attachments –
all in PDF format:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
2. Short CV incl. education, work/research experience, programming and language skills, plus other skills relevant for the position.
3. A certified/signed copy of PhD certificate.
4. List of publications.

Application deadline
25 February 2021, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above mentioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorised recruitment management team will select applicants for assessment to establish a final interview through video conference. Such interviews are expected to be held very soon thereafter.