CREAF

CREAF is seeking a postdoctoral researcher with strong experience in forest modelling, in particular familiar with process-based modelling and its applications, as well as data management to work in the EU project INFORMA (Science-based INtegrated FORest Mitigation mAnagement made operational for Europe) and ref. 101060309, Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON), call HORIZON-CL6-2021-CLIMATE-01, and financed by European Commission.

A full-time contract (or eventually negotionable part-time according to candidate’s circumstances) is offered, with a planned incorporation in the first of September 2022 at the latest, until the end of the project, by June 30, 2026. The salary offered is between 41.990,54 and 33.067,55 € gross per year, depending on the candidate’s conditions.

TASKS:
- Coordinate the activities of the CREAF team in the INFORMA project.
- Adapt the GOTILWA+ simulation model structure to the INFORMA project requirements.
- Develop a R package to release GOTILWA+ to free access.
Calibrate and train GOTILWA+ model for the set of key study species and locations within the INFORMA project framework.
- Develop and implement in GOTILWA+ adaptive management strategies to climate change according to the goals of the INFORMA project.
- Develop and implement in GOTILWA+ forest management optimization algorithms for the ecosystem services targeted by the INFORMA project.
- Networking with other national and international groups in Process-based forest modelling. 
- Networking with other national and international stakeholders for INFORMA project results transference.

REQUIREMENTS:
- A completed PhD on a topic related to the current project description (process-based forest dynamics modelling).
- Excellent publication and transference record.
- Expertise in process-based model development, calibration and validation, and adaptive forest management practices.
- Advanced knowledge in plant ecophysiological processes.
- Expertise with the GOTILWA+ forest simulation model or similar.
- Strong background and proven previous experience in process-based simulation models’ calibration from field observations.
- Contrasted capacity to lead work and team up with other researchers.
- Advanced skills in Visual Basic and R programming.
- Advanced knowledge of English.

ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:
- Experience in working alongside and/or coordinating large research groups, preferably in an international environment.
- Experience as a post-doc in an international environment.
- Experience in process-based forest simulation models such as GOTILWA+ model and others as well as in big data management.
- Experience in the current forest management practices in Catalonia – i.e. ORGEST management practices.
- Experience in team coordination and management in an academic/professional environment.
- Experience in designing and leading experiments directed to improve simulation models.
- Fluid Catalan and / or Spanish spoken and written language.

SELECTION PROCES AND CRITERIA:

1. Admission of candidates: applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter (maximum 500 words) to the offer (filled), by e-mail to laboral@creaf.uab.cat, until 24th July 2022, 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.