Predoctoral Researcher – Community Ecology


The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) is looking for a motivated Predoctoral Researcher to support the research activities of Research Line (RL) 3 on Terrestrial Ecosystems, and specifically work on the national project GORBEEA, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.

Job description: The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), offers a full-time predoctoral researcher position to support the research activities in the context of the European Research Council (ERC) project GorBEEa (ID 101086771), led by Dr. Ainhoa Magrach. This is a 5-year research project funded by the ERC that will be developed at the ‘Global change impacts on ecosystem function’ lab, and within the framework of the Terrestrial Ecosystems Research Line (RL3).

The PhD candidate will work collecting and analyzing data on plant and pollinator interactions from Gorbea Natural Park to investigate the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem functioning and stability. Several ecosystem functions related with plant biomass production, pollinator biomass, and plant reproductive success, together with various stability properties will be calculated.

Key responsibilities:

  • Sampling species (plants, insects) and ecosystem functions
  • Laboratory work: sorting and process samples, ID, etc
  • Analyze and visualize data
  • Write manuscripts and disseminate results
  • Support the organization of project meetings and conferences across the project

Main requirements/skills:

  • Candidates who have completed a MSc/master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g. Biology or Environmental Sciences) will have an advantage, but exceptional candidates who hold only a BSc/bachelor’s degree but have relevant research experience are also welcome to apply
  • Any experience in sampling biological communities, and knowledge of plant-insect communities is desirable but not indispensable
  • Good statistical skills
  • The applicant must have good interpersonal and communication skills, as well as excellent written and oral command of English is required. Good command of Spanish and potentially Basque is not indispensable but desirable because the fieldwork will be carried out in a rural area in the Basque
  • Ability to work collaboratively. Sampling will involve a group of
  • Driver’s license and previous experience driving a four-wheel drive vehicle
  • Previous experience with liquid nitrogen and dry ice
  • Ability to work with a high degree of independence

IMPORTANT: Applications including links to previous works/projects/initiatives that show how the applicant meets these requirements will be given priority.

Benefits and work environment:

  •  Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment
  • Quiet and spacious workspaces
  • Possibility of participating in internal training and academic activities of the centre
  • 35-hour week work calendar
  • 30 days of vacation per year

Term of contract

Starting in 2024, the position will be for a maximum of 4 years.

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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, Leioa, (Spain).

As an HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliating research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for people independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Application procedure:

Fill the form below and upload one PDF document with the following information:

  1. Letter of application / motivation. Applications including links to previous works/projects/initiatives that show how the applicant meets these requirements will be given priority.
  2. A CV
  3. The names and email addresses of two referees if possible.

Deadline

November 30th 2023.

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof Ainhoa Magrach (ainhoa.magrach@bc3research.org) noting in the subject of the message “Predoctoral researcher in Community Ecology”. Please consider that only applications sent through the form included at the bottom of the BC3 web page will be considered (https://info.bc3research.org/job-offers/).

GA 101086771, funded by HORIZON-ERC-2022-COG

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María de Maeztu Excellence Unit 2023-2027 Ref. CEX2021-001201-M, funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033

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