The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), is looking for a post-doctoral researcher interested in the intersection between soil ecology, soil biogeochemistry, forest management and climate change. The overarching objective of the position is to understand the role of soil biodiversity in the resilience of the soil system to natural disturbances (e.g. drought, pests, wind or fire). The position will be based at the Department of Terrestrial Ecology and is available for 36 months (with a possibility of an extension until the end of the project) starting on Sept 1st 2021.
Postdoctoral position for studying the role of soil biodiversity in the resilience of European forest to natural disturbances
The candidate will develop her/his work within the framework of the H2020 consortium HoliSoil (Holistic management practices, modelling and monitoring for European forest soils). The researcher will be in charge of the coordination of the field experimentation activities that will take place at different representative European forests (Spain, Finland, France, Romania). Her/his function will be to collect field data and to study the ecological mechanisms of soil and forest resilience following natural disturbances of different intensities and nature (e.g. fire, drought, wind). Some of the questions to be answered are: which role plays soil biodiversity in the resilience of soils to a given disturbance type and intensity? can we assist soils to accelerate the recovery of soil functions? Among other things, the successful candidate will be in charge of the maintenance of the experimental plot located in Vitoria (Spain) where field data will be gathered to answers those questions. The candidate will also help in the tasks of coordination of the different experiments that will be installed across Europe.
The position will be supervised by Jorge Curiel Yuste. The successful candidate will be based at BC3 but will be working in a highly multidisciplinary and transnational research environment in close collaboration with other institutions from the H2020 HoliSoil consortium: The Natural Resource Institute, LUKE (Finland), Aix Marseille University and CNRS (France), Czech Academy of Sciences (Czech Republic), University of Barcelona (Spain), University of Transilvania (Romania) and Amsterdam Vrije Universiteit (The Netherlands)
Experience/skills required: Given the interdisciplinary nature of the research we are seeking for a resilient individual with a PhD in soil physics, soil biology or biogeochemistry, forest ecology, disturbance ecology, or any related topic. However, a broad interest in natural sciences more specifically in terrestrial ecology and ecosystem resilience is essential. We are looking for a candidate who is able to demonstrate his/her ability to conduct field work, excellent skills in analyzing research data (e.g. R, Python) and ability for independent scientific work proven by a good publication record. A demonstrated ability to communicate in English is also required. Success in the position also requires good communication skills, as well as ability to work as a part of multidisciplinary and transnational research group.
Term of contract
The position will be for a period of 36 months (with a possibility of an extension until the end of the project).
Salary
The position will carry competitive salary, matching the academic and professional profile of the applicant, and excellent work conditions.
Location
Basque Centre for Climate Change, Bilbao, Spain.
As a HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliate research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equality opportunities for people. Women with relevant qualifications are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.
Application procedure:
Those interested should include in their request:
- A curriculum vitae,
- Statement of motivation with a short description (½ page) of a recent scientific problem you successfully solved, and
- Names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of at least two references.
Deadline
28th June 2021 (CET 17:00).
Informal enquiries can be made to Jorge Curiel Yuste (jorge.curiel@bc3research.org) noting in the subject of the message “POSTDOC-HOLISOIL-FIELD”
