PREDOCTORAL RESEARCHER FOR DYNAFUN PROJECT (ref. 24-074-15682)

CREAF is seeking a predoctoral researcher for the DynaFun project (Vegetation dynamics in the Iberian landscapes from a structural and a functional perspective: assessing early warning signals of ecosystem disturbance with reference PID2023-152719OB-C22 funded by theMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación, the Agencia Estatal de Investigación and Co-funded by European Union (MCIN/AEl/10.13039/501100011033/ FEDER, UE)

Unplanned landscape changes in vegetation may strongly affect ecosystem functioning, influencing land sustainability. Moreover, a comprehensive understanding of these changes, including their magnitudes, locations, timings and drivers from a structural and functional perspective, is currently lacking. To address this challenge, DynaFun aims at improving the understanding and monitoring of vegetation changes in the Iberian Peninsula through the exploration of structural changes in land use and land cover (LULC) types and the exploration of functional changes based on ecosystem functional attributes (EFA) and ecosystem functional types (EFT). In particular, the thesis will investigate the efficacy of EFA proxies obtained from Remote Sensing in unravelling EFT dynamics, employing harmonized NDVI time series and quantitative EFA calculations to discretize EFT classes over quinquennial periods. It will also identify potential non-stand replacement areas by the integration of LULC invariant areas, EFA trends and EFT changes. The thesis will concentrate on exploring non-stand changes, aiming to comprehend mid-term vegetation dynamics, identify early warning signals of potential disturbances and associate them to ecosystem (mainly forest) die-back and resilience. It also evaluates the impact of spatial resolution EFA-EFT changes.

This contract is envisaged to start in January 2025*. The salary offered (gross) is established 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):

- 1st year (12 months): 60% of €32.465,02** = €19.479,01 gross per year.

- 2on,3rd and 4rt years (36 months): 75% of €32.465,02** = €24.348,76 gross per year (each year)

*The start of the contract will depend on the final resolution of the project, not coming into force until it’s resolved and it’s possible to allocate expenses to it.

**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 during the years of contract).

TASKS:

• To develop a PhD thesis in the understanding of the dynamics of the ecological condition of woodlands in the Iberian Peninsula, focusing on the cause of the functional changes. The main developed activities will be:
  - Research in new approaches of EFA/EFT concepts and methods
  - Study of the role of spatial and temporal scales in the EFA/EFT generation
  - Assessment of EFA/EFT dynamics and for the identification of potential stand disturbance areas
  - Analysis of the links and cross-benefits between EFT and LULC dynamics’ approaches
• Main contribution as first author to manuscripts for scientific journals
• Attending conferences, workshops or summer schools on the topic of this research.
• Fulfil any training activity required by the PhD Program.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Geography or equivalent.
• Master's degree in the fields of environmental, biological sciences, Geography or data sciences, cartography, forest engineering or equivalent.
  (If the Bachelor’s or Master’s studies are not from the European Higher Education Area, an official recognition must be presented)
• Remote sensing and GIS skills.
• Ecological modeling skills.
• Advanced level of oral and written English.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:

• Ability to work as a team and independently.
• Contribution in scientific publications (first-authored publications will be strongly valued).
• Expertise in Landscape Ecology and Spatial Statistics research topics.
• Availability to travel for field work and scientific conferences.
• Advanced Remote sensing and GIS skills.
• Experience with batch processing or computer languages.
• Willingness to perform an international research stay.
• Valid EU driving license (Type B).
• Candidates who have a recognized disability will be considered and accredited equal to or greater than 33% will be prioritized, as long as the disability is compatible with the proper performance of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA:

1. Applicants should submit: 1) CV in English, 2) motivation letter (less than 1 page), 3) academic transcripts of bachelor’s and master’s degrees (in Spanish or English) until October 27th, 2024. 
2. Pre-selection: determination of compliance with the minimum requirements of the offer.
3. Selection: preselected candidates will be scored based on objective criteria. The candidates presenting the highest scores will be invited to a physical or remote interview (depending on country of residence).
4. Final decision: the decision will be communicated to the candidate with subsequent publication in the CREAF job openings section.
   

For informal enquiries, please, contact contact Lluís Pesquer Mayos l.pesquer@creaf.uab.cat