Job Référence : W15-15-060
Deadline to submit your application : November, 30th 2015
Starting date : as soon as possible
Overall job description.
Ifremer (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea) is
seeking to fill a permanent position in the area of marine ecology with
a specialization in functional ecology / ecosystem functioning.
The position will be located in the Dynamics of Coastal Ecosystems
(DYNECO) research unit, within the Benthic Ecology team. The links
between biodiversity and ecosystem functions and/or functioning is a
recent and hot topic in marine systems. Specifically, investigating and
assessing functional diversity - defined as the variety of responses of
biodiversity and how those responses influence ecosystem functioning -
is of primary importance to understand how systems respond to natural
and anthropogenic drivers. The Benthic Ecology team has recently
initiated several complementary approaches dealing with the analysis of
biological traits or the use of trophic markers as proxies to determine
ecological and functional niches. The candidate should be qualified to
fit within this field of research, by proposing relevant or
complementary approaches to better quantify habitat functionnal
diversity and by addressing key questions targeting the link between
benthic biodiversity and ecosystem functionning. The candidate will be
expected to develop the definition of functional traits, their
ecological significance and their mathematical formalization.
Framework
The candidate will develop a leading research program in functional
diversity of marine benthic coastal habitats consistent with the scope
of the Benthic Ecology team. He/She will be expected to join ongoing
research projects and develop funded innovative projects designed to
investigate the diversity of species and functional traits in relation
to environmental parameters, especially under anthropogenic influences.
More precisely, leading questions might include - but are not limited to
- (1) the link between macrobenthic invertebrate diversity and ecosystem
functions, (2) the effects of biotic/abiotic parameters in functional
trait responses and habitat functions or (3) the effects of non-native
species/invasive species on ecological niche.
Additional approaches coupling field work, lab mesocosms and models to
explain dynamics of benthic habitats are welcome. Research will be
conducted within the framework of the Labex Mer axis 6 "Evolution of
marine habitats and adaptation of population"
(http://www.labexmer.eu/en/research/marine-habitats-population), in
close collaboration with the IUEM (European Institute for Marine
Studies, University of Brittany).
In this respect, the candidate will be expected to apply for grant
proposals (regional or national wide) . The candidate research should
fit within the DYNECO scientific vision and strategic plan and will be
expected to collaborate both within and outside the Institute, at a
national and international level.
In addition to the research activity per se, the candidate will also
contribute to impact assessments on benthic ecosystems on the request of
public authorities.
Qualifications.
PhD in biology or ecology is required for appointment. Excellent
scholarship is expected. Postdoctoral experience is strongly
recommended. International experience is a plus.
The candidate should demonstrate commitment to research, experience
leading field and lab works, and analyzing dataset. He/She should have a
strong record in peer-reviewed papers.
Desired skills include:
- background in ecology processes and functional diversity;
- numerical ecology and statistical tools (programming in R is a plus);
- building and exploitation of databases;
- knowledge in oceanography and marine benthic ecology;
- ability to work in the field
- very good effective written and oral skills in English and French.
Salary.
Dependent upon qualifications and experience.
To Apply:
Screening will begin December 1, 2015. Deadline to send application is
November 30, 2015. Only online applications will be considered. To
apply, please check the Ifremer website
(http://ifremer.profilsearch.com/fo_form_cand.php?idifremer=15%20-%20060).
Fill up the form and upload a detailed CV and a letter of application
(including a resume and a statement of your research achievements and
goals). If needed, confidential letters of recommendation should be sent
(or e-mailed) with mention of the job reference W15-15-060 separately
to: David Joncourt (david.jonco...@ifremer.fr) - Ressources Humaines -
Centre Ifremer de Bretagne - CS10070 - 29280 Plouzané cedex - France.
