CREAF

CREAF is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for the FORESTSOILORG project (Do soil organisms enhance stability as disturbed forests regrow in a warming world?) with grant number EC-94191R-22 and financed by the National Geographic Society.

By coupling a field study with molecular tools, this project will examine the contribution of soil organisms to the ecosystem C and nutrient balance in a context of climate and land use change at the driest distribution edge of the keystone tree species Fagus sylvatica. By focusing on the role of soil invertebrate fauna relative to soil microorganisms (fungi and bacteria) across contrasting contexts of drought stress and land-use legacies, the project will address two major objectives: (1) to determine the relative contribution of microorganisms and invertebrates to soil organic matter decomposition and formation, and (2) to determine how the soil food web structure influences the magnitude of soil C stocks. This project will provide key insight on the importance of preserving soil biodiversity and function in forest ecosystems. 

The candidate will join a multidisciplinary working team of researchers from CREAF, IPNA-CSIC and University of Stirling whose expertise encompasses the disciplines of forest ecosystem dynamics, functional biogeography, and soil ecology and biodiversity. The candidate will benefit from the training and career development opportunities offered by team members and CREAF, exposure to international research and constant interaction with other groups at CREAF and elsewhere.

The contract will be part-time (2,77H* per week) is offered, with a planned incorporation in October 2023 for a duration of 21 months. The salary offered is 195,11€ gross per month.

* The hours will be adjusted if there are salary increases throughout the estimated time of the contract to adjust it to the available budget (€6,000 total cost for 21 month). 

TASKS:

- Lead project development, including study site selection, fieldwork and lab measurements, data analyses and manuscript writing.
- Collaborate on the characterization of soil communities by means of Next Generation Sequencing techniques.
- Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

REQUIREMENTS:

- PhD in Terrestrial Ecology.
- Participation in scientific publications (first-author will be strongly valued).
- Demonstrable experience in field-based studies and project leadership.
- Advanced knowledge of statistics and programming in R.
- High level of scientific writing.
- Good oral communication skills.
- Good level of English, both spoken and written. Catalan and Spanish highly recommended. 

ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:

- Knowledge of the natural environment, in particular of the local region (Catalonia).
- Interest in the study of environmental change, biodiversity, forest ecosystem functioning, and soil ecosystem ecology.
- Ability to work as a team and independently.
- 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 PROCES AND CRITERIA:

1. Admission of candidates: applicants must submit a CV, a cover letter (maximum 500 words) and the questionnaire attached to the offer (filled), by e-mail to laboral@creaf.uab.cat, until 7 August 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: The decision will be communicated to the selectee and published on the CREAF job openings section.