(English below)
Oferta de Doctorado en Ecología Evolutiva Funcional con Plantas Rupícolas
El Instituto de Investigación en Cambio Global (IICG) de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC) ofrece una posición de doctorado en Ecología Evolutiva Funcional con Plantas Rupícolas.
Detalles del proyecto:
- Título: CONCLIFFS - Desentrañando la dimensión evolutiva y funcional de los ecosistemas de acantilados para su conservación
- Duración: 4 años (renovable anualmente)
- Salario bruto: 1700 €/mes
- Fecha de inicio: 18/11/2024
- Investigador principal: Martí March-Salas
Resumen del proyecto:
Este doctorado forma parte del proyecto CONCLIFF, que busca comprender la diversidad funcional y el potencial adaptativo de las plantas rupícolas. La tesis se centrará en evaluar los cambios evolutivos en las respuestas de las plantas al aumento de la frecuencia de sequías y la disminución de la polinización durante los últimos 20 años, utilizando el enfoque de "resurrección" con ocho especies del género Petrocoptis.
Perfil del candidato:
- Máster en Ecología Evolutiva, Botánica, Conservación de la Biodiversidad o campos afines
- Buen expediente académico y experiencia en análisis estadístico con R
- Disposición para realizar experimentos y trabajo de campo
- Buenas habilidades de comunicación oral y escrita en inglés
- Se valora experiencia en medición de rasgos funcionales y análisis genético
- Se reconoce la habilidad en escalada
- Motivación, entusiasmo y ganas de aprender
Responsabilidades:
- Diseño y mantenimiento de experimentos eco-evolutivos con plantas rupícolas
- Medición de rasgos funcionales y reproductivos de plantas, y control de polinización
- Trabajo de campo en comunidades de plantas rupícolas
- Análisis de variación genética y/o diversidad microbiana
- Difusión del conocimiento en congresos, seminarios, etc.
- Apoyo en la supervisión de estudiantes de grado y máster
- Realización de cursos de doctorado
- Análisis estadísticos y publicación de artículos científicos
Cómo aplicar:
Los candidatos deben enviar sus solicitudes en línea entre el 26/09/2024 y el 02/10/2024 a través del siguiente enlace: http://www.urjc.es/investigacion/convocatorias-investigacion, utilizando la plataforma online de convocatorias de contratación para proyectos de investigación disponible en la web de la URJC. Referencia del proyecto: M3349.
Para más información, contactar a Martí March-Salas (marti.march.salas@urjc.es).
Sitio web: https://www.martimarchsalas.com/
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PhD Position in Functional Evolutionary Ecology with Cliff Plants
Plant Evolutionary Ecology Group
Instituto de Investigación en Cambio Global (IICG)
Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC)
Project title: CONCLIFFS - Unraveling the evolutionary and functional dimension of CLIFF ecosystemS for their CONservation (2023-T1/ECO-29193; Internal Project Reference: M3349).
Project summary: Cliff ecosystems are ecological and climatic refuges that host unique biodiversity. For instance, cliffs are home to 35-40% of the endemic plant taxa in Europe and 66% in New Zealand. Many of these endemic plant species have a long evolutionary history, having undergone strong selective pressures and developed a high degree of specialization to cliffs. Although cliffs have been among the least human-disturbed habitats, they now face growing threats from climbing activities and climate change, which are leading to the disappearance of unique cliff plant populations. While recent research has highlighted the impact of climbing on cliff plant communities, the effects of climate change on cliff species have yet to be studied.
As part of the CONCLIFF project, which aims to understand the functional diversity and adaptive potential of cliff plants, this PhD thesis focuses on assessing evolutionary changes in plant responses to increased drought frequency and pollination decline over the last 20 years. To do so, we will use the resurrection approach with eight species of the Petrocoptis genus, comparing ancestors with contemporary descendants under common experimental conditions. Following this, we will test for evolutionary adaptation in natural plant populations, combining the resurrection study with in situ transplantations, with the success of these introductions being closely monitored. Through this project, the PhD candidate will apply innovative research in a highly understudied system, aiming to enhance the long-term conservation of cliff biodiversity.
Project Principal Investigator: Martí March-Salas (IICG-URJC) [marti.march.salas@urjc.es].
Project collaborators: Adrián Escudero (IICG-URJC), Silvia Matesanz (IICG-URJC), José María Iriondo (IICG-URJC), Juan Lorite (UGR), Luis Navarro (UVigo), María Begoña García (IPE), Pablo Tejero-Ibarra (IPE), Gemma Palomar (UCM), Elena Hamann (Düsseldorf Uni.), Robert Rauschkolb (Uni. Jena), Niek Scheepens (Goethe Uni. Frankfurt) [among others].
Gross salary: 1700 €/month.
Starting date: 18/11/2024.
Contract duration: Four years renewed annually.
Your profile:
• A master's degree in Evolutionary Ecology, Botany, Biodiversity Conservation or related fields.
• Good academic record and experience in statistical analysis using R.
• Willingness to conduct experiments and fieldwork.
• Good oral and written communication skills in English.
• Experience measuring functional traits and with genetic analysis is a plus.
• Climbing proficiency is acknowledge.
• Motivated, enthusiastic and eager to learn.
What do we offer you?
• An exciting and novel research opportunity in a dynamic, productive, and interdisciplinary team.
• Opportunity to collaborate in associated research projects.
• Great networking opportunities with international networks.
• A family-friendly and young working environment.
• Opportunities to conduct research stays with an international group.
• Cutting-edge experimental and lab facilities.
Your responsibilities:
• Design, setup, and maintenance of eco-evo experiments with cliff plants.
• Measurement of functional and reproductive plant traits, and pollination control.
• Fieldwork in cliff-dwelling plant communities.
• Analysis of genetic variation and/or microbial diversity.
• Disseminating your knowledge in congresses, seminars, etc.
• Help with the supervision and support of BSc and MSc students in their scientific projects.
• Carry out doctoral courses.
• Statistical analyses and publication of scientific articles.
Application deadline: 2 October 2024.
How to apply? Candidates must submit their applications online between 26/09/2024 and 02/10/2024 through the following link: http://www.urjc.es/investigacion/convocatorias-investigacion, using the online platform for recruitment calls for research projects available on the URJC website. Reference of the project: M3349.
If you have any questions about the position, please contact:
Martí March-Salas
Email: marti.march.salas@urjc.es
Website: https://www.martimarchsalas.com/
