PREDOCTORAL RESEARCHER FOR SEVERO OCHOA PROJECT ON SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF BIODIVERSITY IN MEDITERRANEAN SPRING ECOSYSTEMS AND THEIR ASSOCIATION WITH THE MAIN GLOBAL CHANGE DIVERS (ref. 25-010-95001)

CREAF is seeking a predoctoral researcher for the SEVERO OCHOA Project, with the reference CEX2023-001340 with specific ref. PREX2023-00025 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 spring ecosystems and their association with the main global change divers. These ecosystems are under severe threat due to global change. The most significant challenges include the increased frequency and intensity of droughts, rising temperatures, and aquifer overexploitation and pollution. The abandonment of traditional practices and the expansion of intensive agriculture have also contributed to the loss of many of these ecosystems.

This PhD project will assess the status of the biodiversity of spring ecosystems to evaluate how changes in climate, droughts, and water chemistry (e.g., aquifer pollution) affect the populations and communities of the multiple organisms inhabiting these ecosystems. In particular, the PhD thesis will be focused on studying the biodiversity dynamics of Mediterranean spring ecosystems, including diatoms, macroalgae, bryophytes and vascular plants. The PhD project will follow the research gaps depicted in the review paper Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change. 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 3 through the publication of guidelines and other outreach materials aimed at improving their management.

IP garant:

Dr. Joan Pino

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:

• Field work to collect biodiversity data from spring ecosystems, including the determination of the species, either in the field or in the laboratory.
• Lab work to analyse the chemical composition of spring waters.
• 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 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), and 3) academic transcripts of bachelor’s and master’s degrees (in Spanish or English), until Fabruary 23th, 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. Joan Pino (joan.pino@uab.cat)

Job offer in PDF