CREAF

CREAF is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work in the SPEAR project (Scenarios for Protecting European Avian Redistributions), with ref. PCI2022-135056-2, International competitive calls, within the framework of "INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION PROJECTS" 2022, funded by the Miniserio de Ciencia e Innovación, Next Generation funds of Euroepan Union, and PRTR (Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia).

CREAF is seeking an experienced spatial modeller researcher with a strong background in spatial biodiversity modelling to work, together with other Spanish and European institutions, on building novel future projections of spatially explicit products (Essential Biodiversity Variables, EBVs) aimed at capturing future spatial dynamics of bird distributions under different scenarios at different spatial scales (from subnational to European). These novel projections will explore IPBES based Nature Positive Futures including rewilding (recovering of natural processes at the system level) which aim at significantly contributing to the core of policy relevant information targeting the implementation of the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030. Together with ICO (Catalan Ornithological Institute, https://ornitologia.org/ca/) and EBCC (European Bird Census Council, https://www.ebcc.info), our group is leading on the development of bird based EBVs and derived indicators (farmland, forest and open habitats) that bridge the gap between informing current global change impacts and the evaluation of future scenarios of change allowing the assessment of current socio-political decisions.

More specifically, the SPEAR project will compile pan-European data on seabirds, waterbirds, and landbirds to: i) identify potential changes in priority areas for bird conservation at land and sea, including critical gaps in the current network of protected areas in Europe needed to build a Trans-European Nature Network, ii) assess the resilience of European networks to environmental change and identify alternatives that will be robust under future scenarios of threats and pressures, iii) assess the cost-effectiveness of management plans for protected areas that will facilitate adaptation of birds to climate change.

A full-time contract (37,5 hours/week) is offered with planned incorporation in September 2023, and a duration of 24 month (with possibility of an extension linked with projects related to scientific framework developed in the SPEAR project). The contract will be linked to the budgets of the project described above ("scientific-technical activities", according to Law 14/2011). The salary offered is between €31,692.86 and €36,608.91 gross per year, depending on the candidate’s experience.

TASKS:

- Coordinate specific activities of the CREAF team related to the SPEAR project.
- Develop state of the art Species Distribution Models (SDMs) using European large scale bird monitoring datasets.
- Unravel, using state of the art modelling, the spatial and temporal changes in bird distributions and explore causal links with underlaying drivers of change.
- Produce robust and credible projections of future changes in bird distributions under different scenarios of global change drivers and management options.
- Translate the acquired knowledge on processes and interactions into operational tools.
- Collaborate with other researchers in the team and external partners to link developed bird spatial products to landscape and climate scenarios of future change.
- High quality scientific outputs in the form of journal publications and contribution to relevant policy reports.
- Networking with other national and international groups in bird spatial modeling and monitoring.
- Collaborate with a large consortium of scientists to provide the outputs necessary for spatial conservation prioritization.
- High quality scientific outputs in the form of journal publications and contribution to relevant policy reports.

REQUIEREMENTS:

- A completed PhD on a topic related to the current project description (biodiversity modelling/monitoring/global change).
- Excellent publication record.
- Expertise in biodiversity monitoring projects and biodiversity research (preferably on birds).
- Proven expertise in spatial modelling and/or Species Distribution Model development. 
- Demonstrated experience in advanced statistic programming languages (such as R).
- Contrasted capacity to lead work and team up with other researchers.
- Previous experience in project management and leadership in a biodiversity conservation context.
- Advanced knowledge of English.

ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:

- Experience in working alongside and/or coordinating large research groups, preferably in an international environment.
- Experience in working with future scenarios of biodiversity or climate change research.
- Experience in the reporting of biodiversity relevant European legislation and Nature directives.
- Experience in team coordination and management in an academic/professional environment
- Experience in developing successful proposals for competitive project applications.
- Candidates who have a recognized disability and accredited equal to or greater than 33% will be prioritized, if the disability is compatible with the proper performance of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA:

1. Admission of candidates: applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter (maximum 500 words), by e-mail to laboral@creaf.uab.cat, until September 10th 2023, indicating the reference code of the offer. Applications referred to another portal, other than CREAF job openings section and the instructions included in this, will not be accepted.
2. Pre-selection: determination of compliance with the minimum requirements of the offer.
3. Selection: assessment of the preselected candidates by scoring based on objective criteria.
4. Final decision: in case of finding the suitable person, the election will be formally communicated to him/her, and the identification of the chosen person will be published on CREAF job opening section.