PhD: Estudia en detalle la relación entre plantas y polinizadores tropicales en una isla de las Seychelles

Oferta compartida por Cristina

Offer Description

Job description:The Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (IMEDEA) offers a PhD position to support the research activities in the context of the European Research Council (ERC) project IslandLife (ID: 101054177), led by Prof. Anna Traveset. This is a 5-year research project funded by the ERC that will be developed at the Terrestrial Ecology lab, within the Department of Global Change and Oceanography of IMEDEA.

The tentative title of the PhD thesis will be:

“The connection between network structure and ecosystem functioning: a mechanistic approach to understand the role of the pollinator community in assisting with plant reproduction”

Pollinators provide critical ecosystem functions by pollinating plant species and structuring plant communities, especially in the tropics. Plant-pollinator interactions at the community level can be studied with network approach, which provides insights into how the mutualistic interactions are structured across the community. These structural properties of networks are relatively well-studied, yet we have little understanding how network structure translates into ecosystem functions. This PhD project will aim to understand the contribution of pollinator species towards plant reproductive performance thereby shaping plant community composition. We propose to use a multi-pronged approach including plant and pollinator traits, phylogenies and abundances at the community level to improve our understanding of how network structure (global, meso-, and micro-level properties) explain functional performance of pollinators, and how this performance varies over time.

We will study these detailed mechanistic relationships between plants and pollinators in a relatively small community on the tropical island of Frégate in the Seychelles, where we have detailed pre-existing knowledge of the plant and pollinator community. The research will consist of strong empirical and theoretical components, which require a keen interest in field work and modelling.

This PhD will be co-supervised by project partner Dr Christopher Kaiser-Bunbury, Centre of Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK. Part of the PhD may involve extended visits to the UK to work closely with Dr Kaiser-Bunbury.

Requirements
Research FieldEnvironmental science » EcologyEducation LevelMaster Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications
Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences.
Experience in sampling biological communities, conducting field work in the tropics, and knowledge of plant-animal interactions are desirable but not essential. Ability to withstand harsh field conditions like heavy rain, heat and extensive sun.
Willingness and ability to take responsibility for independent data collection and processing.
Very good statistical skills, including programming in R, are highly desirable but not essential. Ideally, the candidate should have experience with analyzing and interpreting interaction networks.
The applicant must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and proficiency in communicating complex information, orally, in writing and electronically in English. Good command of Spanish is not essential but desirable because the applicant will be part of a research and social community that primarily uses Spanish as their main language.
Ability to work collaboratively and liaise with colleagues and students. Sampling will involve being part of a research team.
Ability to build contacts and participate in internal and external networks for the exchange of information and collaboration.
An understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organization and a commitment to help create an inclusive culture.
Willingness to work flexibly to achieve project demands and engage in continuous professional development.
A valid driver’s license.

IMPORTANT: Applications including links to previous works/projects/initiatives that show how the applicant meets these requirements will be given priority.

Specific Requirements


Main tasks:Develop research objectives and detailed proposal for the PhD project
Conduct an extensive literature review
Conduct extensive field work under potentially physically and mentally challenging conditions, including sampling of plant-pollinator interactions, measuring plant and pollinator traits, monitoring plant community composition, evaluating plant reproductive success, identifying plants and pollinators in the field, etc.
Laboratory work, including sorting and processing samples, species identification, potentially repetitive diagnostic work and measurements of seeds, pollen grains, etc.
Analyze and visualize data, including modelling in R.
Publish manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate results.
Actively engage in the research group and support the organization in project meetings and conferences throughout the project.
LanguagesENGLISHLevelExcellent
Research FieldBiological sciences » BiodiversityEnvironmental science » Ecology

Additional Information

Benefits
Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment. Researchers will join a vibrant interdisciplinary team and will work in an interdisciplinary research center, recently accredited as Center of Excellence María de Maeztu by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (https://imedea.uib-csic.es/en/).
Combination of field and lab work in two different countries (Spain and Republic of Seychelles).
Possibility of participating in internal training, learning, and corporate social responsibility activities at IMEDEA.
Possibility of participating in field work in other archipelagos studied within the ERC project.
35-hour work week calendar.
30 days of vacation per year.

Term of contract: Starting in Spring 2023, the position will be for a maximum of 4 years.

Salary: The position will carry competitive salary, matching the academic and professional profile of the applicant, and excellent work conditions. The annual net salary of a PhD contracted by CSIC is 23,064€.

Eligibility criteria


The criteria used to be eligible are indicated in the skills/qualifications section.

Selection process


Applicants should send one PDF document with the following information: Letter of application / motivation, a CV, and the names and email addresses of two referees to the following email address: IslandLife.ERC@gmail.com, noting in the subject of the message “JOB TITLE”

The deadline for applications is January 30th 2023; candidate interviews will start as applications are received.

All applicants will receive an answer before February 15th 2023.

Additional comments


Location: Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies, Mallorca, Spain

Additional information: IMEDEA is committed to conciliating research-academic requirements and family duties. Being a center of CSIC, it is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for people independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Work Location(s)
Number of offers available1Company/InstituteCONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASCountrySpainState/ProvinceMallorca, Balearic IslandsCityEsporlesPostal Code07190StreetMiquel Marqués 21

Where to apply E-mail
IslandLife.ERC@gmail.com

Contact State/Province
Mallorca, Balearic IslandsCity
EsporlesStreet
Miquel Marqués 21Postal Code
07190E-Mail
atraveset@imedea.uib-csic.esPhone
+34 971611718Mobile Phone
+34 680561270