CREAF is seeking a predoctoral researcher for the SEVERO OCHOA Project, with the reference CEX2023-001340-S with specific ref. PREX2023-00026 funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ 10.13039/501100011033.
The Severo Ochoa award will allow CREAF to further advance its excellence in research and research management, while contributing to addressing global socio-environmental challenges. The previous strategic project U-LANDSCAPE provided a first approach to these challenges, contributing to driving CREAF research towards human-altered ecosystems and landscapes, their functioning and threats. This perspective is reinforced in a more comprehensive way through the present proposal “ECO-RESILIENCE 360º: TRANSFORMATIVE ECOLOGY TO MANAGE THE FUTURE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELLBEING”, focusing on three application areas:
(1) ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS. Our goal is to conduct research in Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) that benefits local communities, economies, ecosystems, and human health in Spain and globally. We will evaluate how global changes affect the supply and demand of essential ecosystem services (e.g., carbon and nutrient cycling, climate regulation, food and water provision, and recreational opportunities) and their impact on society.
(2) UNDERSTANDING AND FORECASTING THE RISKS TO ECOSYSTEMS. Our goal is to develop cutting-edge scientific research focused on understanding and forecasting short- and long-term changes in ecosystems that put nature at risk, focusing on climate change, biodiversity loss and forest health. We will provide decision-makers with accessible information derived from this research. We aim to investigate how global change drives the adaptation and migration of organisms, including those assisted by humans, and the resulting changes in the structure, composition and function of ecosystems and landscapes, as well as their potential effects on society.
(3) ADAPTING ECOSYSTEMS FOR RESILIENCE: Our goal is to analyze and propose innovative adaptive measures to inform policies in critical areas, such as adaptation to drought, climate extremes, and wildfires. We will evaluate the resilience of key ecosystem functions to significant stress factors and disruptions, including its drivers, such as demographic responses, functional diversity, and biotic interactions. Additionally, we will assess ecosystem malfunctioning and explore management options.
This PhD thesis will focus on investigating the spatial and temporal dynamics of biodiversity in Mediterranean in the context of changing fire regimes and their association with the main global change drivers while it will evaluate the potential for restored disturbance regimes to reverse critical biodiversity losses in the region. Recent changes at the lanscape scales coupled with climate change have increased the risks and impact of large fires on societies and biodiversity
This PhD aims to advance the modelling foundations for dynamic, process-based restoration planning using herbivory and fire as key levers of change. It will do so by leveraging recent advances in data availability (e.g. the new Catalan mammal atlas, fire history data, DINDIS bird database), dynamic modelling (SDMs, MEDFIRE), and ecological frameworks (pyrodiversity, herbivory mosaics, landscape heterogeneity). The research builds upon the RESFIRE project and contributes to the development of ecological fire regimes and landscape-level herbivory processes as coupled natural solutions to reverse biodiversity loss. This thesis will use birds and butterflies as indicator groups to assess outcomes and trade-offs of different renaturalisation pathways, in line with the Nature Futures Framework. The work plan is designed to work closely with the Catalan Observatori of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity via the project CARTOBIO to benefit from its long expertise in modelling species distributions for biodiversity conservation purposes, while contributing new methodologies that respond to the upcoming restoration and planning challenges. The topic is fully in line with Application Area 2 of the SO project (Understanding and Forecasting the risks to Ecosystems), and can also contribute to Application Area 1 and 3 through the publication of guidelines and other outreach materials aimed at improving their management.
IP garant: Dr. Lluís Brotons
This contract is envisaged to start in October 1st or November 1st , 2025. The salary offered (gross) is established in €25,512.75 (gross per year) ensuring that this salary will be above by the RD EPIF (Real Decreto 103/2019, de 1 de marzo, por el que se aprueba el Estatuto del personal investigador predoctoral en formación) standards:
- 1st year (12 months): 56% of €32.624,20** = €18,269.55.
- 2nd year (12 months): 60% of €32.624,20** = €19,574.52.
- 3rt and 4rt year (24 month): 75% of €32.624,20** = €24,468.15 each year.
**Salary from Group 1 (M3) of the salary table from the Convenio colectivo único para el personal laboral de la Administración General del Estado of 2024 (subject to possible salary increases when new salary amounts are approved).
MAIN FUNCTIONS
Data base management to integrate, store and visualize biodiversity data in terrestrial Mediterranean systems (mostly mammals, birds and butterflies).
Calibration of available landscape fire models for the study region and extensive use of SIG systems.
Development of species distribution models and application of these models to dynamic environmental conditions.
Lead the writing of the scientific articles originating from the results of the thesis.
Present the results in scientific meetings.
Contribute to the main objectives of the research group, including participation in projects of other team members.
REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees related to biology, environmental sciences, or similar.
Excellent analitical skills (e.g., working with datasets and performing advanced statistical analyses).
Experience programming in R. Good programming skills will be strongly valued.
Good level of taxonomic knowledge, preferably of different groups (i.e., macroalgae, bryophytes, vascular plants). The candidate will be instructed in the groups in which they lack expertise.
Good English level, both spoken and written. Catalan and Spanish are highly recommended.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Car driving license (B2) and good driving abilities.
ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:
Availability to travel for fieldwork.
Name and email addresses of one or two professional references.
Experience and interest in biology and ecology.
Previous participation in projects and publications.
Ability to work as a team and independently
Candidates who have a recognized disability will be considered and accredited equal to or greater than 33% will be prioritized, if the disability is compatible with the proper performance of the job.
SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA:
Admission of candidates: 1) CVA (please download and complete the document available at the following link) in English, 2) motivation letter (less than 1 page), 3) academic transcripts of bachelor’s and master’s degrees (in Spanish or English), until September 21st, 2025. Applications submitted to any portal other than the CREAF job board and the instructions included therein will not be accepted.
Pre-selection: assessment of compliance with the minimum requirements of the job offer.
Selection: evaluation of the pre-selected candidates through scoring based on objective criteria, interviews with a shortlist of candidates, and a proposed exercise.
Final decision: if a suitable candidate is identified, they will be formally informed of their selection, and all other participants in the selection process will be notified by email.
For informal enquiries, please, contact IP garant: Dr. Lluís Brotons ([email protected])