CREAF

CREAF is seeking for a qualified technician for the STOIKOS project (Elemental ecology: towards an element-based functional ecology), with ref. 101076740 — STOIKOS — ERC-2022-STG, funded by the European Research Council, under the powers delegated by the European Commission.

The project aims to investigate whether the elemental composition of organisms relates to ecosystem functioning, and whether ecosystem elemental diversity predicts ecosystem functioning better than traditional metrics of diversity. The candidate will join the Elemental Diversity and Macroecology research team (https://elemdiv.netlify.app/), a multidisciplinary working team using observations, experiments and theoretical modelling to answer our scientific questions. The candidate will benefit from the training and career development opportunities offered through our research team and CREAF, exposure to international research and interaction with other national and international collaborators.

A full-time contract is offered, with a planned incorporation in May (start date negotiable) for 24 months. The gross salary offered will range between €27,484.32 and €36,073.17 annually, depending on demonstrable merits (plus seniority).

TASKS:

- Coordinate field campaigns across Catalonia, Spain and Europe.
- Perform those campaigns and the processing of the samples.
- Generate and curate the resulting databases.
- Prepare statistical reports and analyses.
- Assist the PI with coordination of the project.

REQUIREMENTS:

- Degree in Environmental Sciences, Biology, Environmental Biology, or similar (e.g., biophysicist, forestry).
- High availability to travel.
- Driving license (ideally for more than 2 years of experience).
- Demonstrable experience in the field of ecology.
- Experience carrying out intensive field work.
- Good knowledge of botany.
- Experience doing laboratory work.
- Advanced knowledge of statistics and programming in R.
- High level of English, both spoken and written. Catalan and Spanish highly recommended.

ASSESSABLE CONDITIONS:

- Masters and/or PhD in Environmental Sciences, Biology, or similar.
- Participation in scientific and/or popular publications.
- Ability to work as a team and independently.
- Good oral communication skills.
- Experience in using dendrochronology techniques.
- Experience determining vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens and arthropods.
- Experience in using portable photosynthesis equipment. 
- The possession of a certificate of disability will be positively taken into account.

SELECTION PROCESS AND CRITERIA:

1. Admission of candidates: applicants must submit a CV in English, a cover letter (maximum 500 words, also in English) and the questionnaire attached to the offer (filled), by e-mail to laboral@creaf.uab.cat, until April 9^th, 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. The candidates presenting the highest scores will be invited to a physical or remote interview (depending on the residence of the candidate).
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 openings section.

For informal enquiries, please, contact Dr. Fernández-Martínez: m.fernandez@creaf.uab.cat.