CREAF is seeking a research technician to work MOIST JUNIOR LEADER project (MOnitorIng water Status behyond the Tree Scale: new tools for forest health assessment) with ref. LCF/BQ/PI25/12100008 (ID:161276) 2025 Call for Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellowships from the “la Caixa” Foundation of and PROTEAS JUNIOR LEADER project (Prediction of the distribution of water content in the subsoil, water potential, and forest biomass worldwide) with ref. LCF/BQ/PI23/11970013 (ID: 100010434) 2023 Call for Junior Leader Postdoctoral Fellowships from the “la Caixa” Foundation both projects funded by “la Caixa” Foundation and co-financed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie program.
The person selected will be in the ecophysiology and global change group (EcoPhys) supporting research on monitoring forest water status at multiple scales. The aims are to collect field data enabling the estimation of forest water content and water potential at tissue, tree, local, regional and global levels. The work involves technical field work and could also include database management and spatial data analysis depending on the candidate’s skills.
The position may additionally involve collaboration across other field-based projects.
A full-time contract is offered (37.5 hours per week) intending to start in September/October 2025. It will last at least 12 months, with the possibility of extending it if required and if the budget allows (maximum until December 2026). The offered salary is €25,388.30 gross per year (corresponding to category T4A).
MAIN FUNCTIONS:
- Organizing and conducting field sampling campaigns and measurements across multiple sites in Catalonia including Collserola, Montseny and Prades.
- Installing and maintaining field equipment including sensors that monitor tree function (e.g., sap flux, water potential) and environmental conditions (e.g., meteorological data, and soil moisture).
- Undertaking regular field campaigns for the measurement of ecophysiological variables, such as leaf water potential, and downloading data from sensors.
- Data processing and analysis.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Degree in Biology, Forest Sciences, Environmental Sciences, or equivalent.
- Research and field experience in plant ecophysiology.
- Expertise in using the basic analytical tools employed in ecology, e.g., for managing and processing field data, and time-series data.
- Knowledge of English
- Driving license.
ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:
- MSc or PhD related with the tasks mentioned above (e.g., in Terrestrial Ecology).
- Experience in taking field measurements and using field monitoring devices. In particular, experience in taking leaf water potential measurements and the use of sap flux sensors is highly desirable.
- Programming skills (e.g., R, Python, MATLAB, others).
- Experience in data and spatial analysis, including GIS and/or remote sensing tools.
- Candidates with a certified disability of 33% or more will be prioritized, provided the disability is compatible with the position's responsibilities.
SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA:
- Admission of candidates: Applicants must apply for the offer and attach the requested documentation, CV and cover letter (maximum 500 words), until September 7th, 2025. Applications submitted to any portal other than the CREAF job board and the instructions included therein will not be accepted.
- Pre-selection: determination of compliance with the minimum requirements of the offer.
- Selection: assessment of the preselected candidates by scoring based on objective criteria and by interview of shortlisted candidates.
- Final decision: in case of finding the suitable candidate, the election will be formally communicated to this person, and the identification of the chosen person will be published on CREAF job openings section and with personalized notification (by mail) when the process progresses.
JOB OFFER IN PDF
