PREDOCTORAL RESEARCHER FOR SEVERO OCHOA PROJECT ON INVESTIGATING FOREST AND URBAN BIOGENIC VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (BVOCS) AND THEIR EFFECTS ON ATMOSPHERE AND HUMAN HEALTH (ref. 25-009-95001)

CREAF is seeking a predoctoral researcher for the SEVERO OCHOA Project, with the reference CEX2023-001340 with specific ref. PREX2023-00024 funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación/ 10.13039/501100011033.

This PhD thesis will focus on “Investigating forest and urban biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) and their effects on atmosphere and human health”

Recent studies increasingly provide evidence of the role of BVOCs (mainly monoterpenes) in human health and the mechanisms through which forest exposure benefits human well-being. However, further research is needed to describe and predict the composition and abundance of VOCs across different forest types, as well as their variations with phenology and responses to climate change. Conversely, the emission of VOCs from urban trees or forests can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on human health. In urban environments, these compounds can react with anthropogenic pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), leading to the formation of secondary organic aerosols and ozone, thereby contributing to air pollution and respiratory problems.

This PhD project aims to characterize the BVOCs profiles and total concentrations throughout the year for different natural forest types and various urban tree species in Barcelona. The relationship between volatile compound profiles, concentrations, and various health parameters will be explored. Additionally, data on BVOCs concentrations collected from Mediterranean forests in recent years will be analyzed to study the effects of climate change on these concentrations. This project will also investigate the role of BVOCs in atmospheric chemistry, focusing on how they contribute to the formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) and ozone and thus influence regional and urban air quality with ecological and health-related implications in both forest and urban environments.

The thesis is framed in the Severo Ochoa award of CREAF “ECO-RESILIENCE 360º: TRANSFORMATIVE ECOLOGY TO MANAGE THE FUTURE OF ECOSYSTEMS AND HUMAN WELLBEING” . the thesis will involve components of two application areas of the Severo Ochoa award:

(1) ASSESSING THE POTENTIAL OF NATURE-BASED SOLUTIONS. We will evaluate how exposure to forest and urban trees volatiles benefits human well-being by exploring the relationship between volatile concentrations and health parameters.

(2) UNDERSTANDING AND FORECASTING THE RISKS TO ECOSYSTEMS. By studying how changes in meteorology are altering volatile emissions, we aim to understand and forecast forest functioning and health under future climate change conditions.

IP garant:

Dr. Iolanda Filella

This contract is envisaged to start in April 1st, 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): 56% of €32,465.02** = €18,180.41.

- 2nd year (12 months): 60% of €32,465.02** = €19,479.01.

- 3rt and 4rt year (24 month): 75% of €32,465.02** = €24,348.76 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).

TASKS:

• Compile and analyse big datasets to answer the questions posed in the tesis
• May be also carry out laboratory experiments utilizing microcosms to evaluate how environmental manipulations can trigger changes in ecosystem dynamics.
• Lead the writing of the scientific articles originating from the results of the thesis
• Contribute to the main objectives of the research group, including participation in the projects of other team members.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees related to biology, environmental sciences, forestry, biophysics, physics, chemistry or similar.
• Excellent analitical skills (e.g., managing big datasets and performing advanced statistical analyses).
• High level of programming in R and/or Python.
• Good English level, both spoken and written. Catalan is highly recommended.
• Excellent oral and writing communication skills.

ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:

• Experience and interest in biology and ecology.
• Experience performing experiments in biology.
• Participation in scientific publications (first-author publications will be strongly valued).
• 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, 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), and 4) the contact details of at least two previous supervisors so that we can request references about the candidate, until Fabruary 23, 2025.
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 IP garant: Dr. Iolanda Filella:

Global Ecology Unit CREAF-CSIC-UAB,Center for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF) - National Research Council (CSIC), Edifici C, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Barcelona

tel 935814670 email: i.filella@creaf.uab.cat

*EXTENSION DEADLINE - 28/02/2025

Job offer in PDF