Oferta compartida por Cristina
Three Postdocs in Terrestrial (Island) Ecology
Job Information
Organisation/Company
CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Department
Global change and Oceanography
Research Field
Environmental science » Ecology
Researcher Profile
Leading Researcher (R4)
Country
Spain
Application Deadline
31/01/2023 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
Type of Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-time
Hours Per Week
40
Offer Starting Date
01/01/2023 - 12:00
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
European Union / Next Generation EUReference Number
101054177
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
As part of the Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies, the Global Change Research Group, more specifically the Terrestrial Ecology Lab (http://www.travesetlab.com/) which focuses its research on the effects of global change on island biodiversity, community structure, and ecosystem functioning, is seeking:
Three Postdocs in Terrestrial (Island) Ecology. The applicants will work on the effect of disturbances on island multilayer network structure. One Postdoc (Postdoc #1) will work in the Seychelles archipelago, the other (Postdoc #2) in Galapagos, and the third one (Postdoc #3) in the Balearic and Canary Islands. (Duration of the Contract: 3 years, extendable).
These positions are part of the ERC Advanced Grant IslandLife “Determinants of island ecological complexity in the context of global change” led by Anna Traveset. The project will combine direct observations during intense fieldwork, automated video monitoring and deep-learning, cutting-edge molecular techniques, and newly developed coextinction models to predict persistence and resilience of island biota to disturbances. For more information on the project, click here.
We seek highly motivated and creative individuals with a strong command of the English language and with expertise in the study of biodiversity. Candidates will join an interdisciplinary research center, recently accredited as a Center of Excellence María de Maeztu by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, where terrestrial and marine ecologists, physical oceanographers, chemists, and evolutionary biologists work in collaborative projects.
About the project: ERC AdG IslandLife –Determinants of island ecological complexity in the context of global change
PI: Anna Traveset. Mediterranean Institute of Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB)
Biodiversity is declining globally at an unprecedented rate. Representing ~30% of the biodiversity hotspots, islands are particularly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities, indeed 80% of reported extinctions are island species. Yet, unique island biodiversity – which includes not only the species but also the myriad of interactions among them – is still greatly unknown. It is thus urgent to describe it and forecast the consequences of its annihilation so we can mitigate the effect of further losses. Detecting ecological interactions and understanding their complexity is, however, one of the big challenges in the natural sciences. The advent of new theories and analytical tools, such as critical transition theory and complex network analysis, provides hope to reach that goal. As relatively simple systems with well-defined borders, islands have a great potential to advance our comprehension of nature complexity.
The IslandLife project will provide the most comprehensive and quantitatively sophisticated study of multilayer networks to date in any terrestrial ecosystem. We will focus on five archipelagos encompassing four oceans and a wide latitudinal gradient, comparing for the first time the food web structure of ‘pristine’ (little-disturbed) islands (of a few km2) with areas of similar size in nearby disturbed (human-inhabited) islands. The objective is to unveil the unique biodiversity of these ecosystems, understand their complexity, and evaluate their fragility to global change drivers, such as biological invasions. We will combine direct observations during intense fieldwork, automated-video monitoring and deep-learning, cutting-edge molecular techniques, and newly developed coextinction models to predict persistence and resilience of island biota to disturbances. The project will represent a major breakthrough towards understanding the effects of global change on these valuable ecosystems, of great relevance to both theoretical ecologists and applied conservationists.
Requirements
Research FieldBiological sciences » BiodiversityEducation LevelPhD or equivalent
Research FieldEnvironmental science » EcologyEducation LevelPhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Candidates holding a PhD in Biology or Environmental Sciences, with experience in network analysis and complex coding and modeling in R will be given priority.
Experience with management of research team (with diverse cultural background) including the co-supervision of PhD students is preferred.
Evidence of the ability to publish high-quality peer-reviewed publication is essential.
Proven track-record of extensive field work is highly desirable.
The applicant must have good interpersonal and communication skills, as well as excellent written and oral command of English is required. Good command of Spanish is not indispensable but desirable because the applicant will be part of the time living in Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain.
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:Field work in two islands in the study archipelagos (Seychelles, Galapagos or Balearics/Canaries)—periodical sampling of a variety of ecological interactions, monitoring plant community composition. Field work will involve about 5-6 months per year the two first years of the postdoc.
Conduct an extensive literature review on species interactions from each archipelago
Laboratory work-- sorting and processing samples, getting in touch with taxonomists and molecular laboratories for species identification.
Build the multi-layer networks, analyse and visualize data
Write manuscripts and disseminate results
Actively engage in the research group and support the organization of project meetings and conferences across the project.
Help train and mentor other team members if necessary
LanguagesENGLISHLevelExcellent
Research FieldEnvironmental science » EcologyBiological sciences » BiodiversityYears of Research Experience1 - 4
Additional Information
Benefits
Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment. Researchers will join a vibrant interdisciplinary research center of terrestrial and marine ecologists, physicists and chemists working on different aspects of global change. IMEDEA has recently been accredited as Center of Excellence Maria de Maeztu by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (https://imedea.uib-csic.es/en/).
Quiet and spacious workspaces
Possibility of participating in internal training, learning, or corporate social responsibility activities at IMEDEA. Possibility of participating in field work in other archipelagos studied within the ERC project.
35-hour week work calendar
30 days of vacation per year
Term of contract: Starting in 2023, the position will be initially for 3 years, with a 3-months’ probation period based on performance. Guaranteed opportunities for longer-term employment upon successful performance after the 3 years will be offered (up to one more year).
Salary:The position will carry competitive salary, matching the academic and professional profile of the applicant, and excellent work conditions. The annual salary of a person contracted by CSIC is 39,709 €.
Eligibility criteria
The criteria used to be eligible will be those 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 OFFER POSTDOC”
The deadline for applications is January 30th 2023; candidate interviews will start as applications are received.
All candidates will be informed before February 15th 2023 if they have been selected for the offered jobs.
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 available3Company/InstituteCONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICASCountrySpainState/ProvinceMALLORCA, BALEARIC ISLANDSCityESPORLESPostal Code07190StreetMIQUEL MARQUES 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
