Organisation/Company: Agencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)
Department: Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM)
Research Field: Environmental science – Ecology, Global change, Water science
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher – Recognised Researcher (R2)
Location: Spain
Application Deadline: 30 Jan
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Hours Per Week: 37.5
Starting Date: 1 Mar
Offer Description
The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the most multidisciplinary research institute on marine science in Spain and the leading scientific organization in Southern Europe. It is also the first marine science research centre accredited as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, a recognition of the institution's leadership in marine research and its commitment to creating social impact.
Our goal is to develop research of excellence to inspire society in harmony with the blue planet, in line with the values of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
The role and the team: We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position in environmental, climate and ecological modelling, as part of the MacroHolos and AbyScapes projects, led by Drs. Erik Simon‑Lledó, Ariadna Mecho (Barcelona Supercomputing Centre) and Morane Clavel‑Henry (GEOMAR), among other partners from Germany, UK, Austria and Finland.
The research will investigate the mechanisms driving benthic biodiversity in abyssal seascapes, particularly across the northeast Pacific region. The candidate will lead the characterisation of environmental (physical and biogeochemical) conditions and particle dispersal in the benthic boundary layer. Combining this data with existing biodiversity databases, the candidate will develop joint ecological models to quantify the role of abiotic and biotic filtering processes in regulating large-scale abyssal community assembly, and forecast how these relationships might change with climate change or seabed mining. The candidate will join the Functioning and Vulnerability of Marine Ecosystems group at ICM‑CSIC. The position involves close collaboration with the Barcelona Supercomputing Centre (BSC) and includes international secondments in leading European research institutes.
Key Responsibilities
- Process integral oceanographic data (e.g., WOA, Copernicus) and CMIP6/CMIP7 Earth System Model outputs to generate a high-resolution environmental characterisation of the abyssal benthic boundary layer.
- Run Lagrangian larval particle dispersal simulations using OpenDrift.
- Develop and implement Hierarchical Modelling of Species Communities (e.g., HMSC) to analyse biodiversity‑environment‑disturbance relationships and simulate community responses in abyssal seascapes.
- Produce open‑access environmental and biological databases and high‑impact scientific publications.
- Collaborate with international partners and contribute to multi‑institutional research outputs and meetings.
Professional Experience
- Experience in ecological modelling, oceanography, environmental sciences, statistical computing or a related discipline (PhD in any of these fields desirable but not required).
- Strong publication track record in international scientific journals.
- Demonstrated experience in ecological or oceanographic data analysis.
- Proficiency in R, Python, Shell script, or MATLAB.
- Experience with CMIP products or hydrographic data analysis is desirable.
- Familiarity with joint community and predictive ecological modelling is a strong asset.
Languages
- Fluent in English (written and spoken).
- Catalan or Spanish is an asset.
Competences and Skills
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
- Excellent data management, scientific writing and presenting ability.
- Capacity to work independently and proactively within an international team.
- Commitment to collaborative research and openness to multidisciplinary approaches.
Offer
- Estimated annual gross salary: consistent with CSIC pay scales.
- Full‑time contract with flexible working hours and possibility of teleworking up to 3 days a week.
- Duration: 2 years, with possibility of extension.
Recruitment at ICM is open, transparent and merit‑based, and all applicants compete on the same terms. Interested candidates should send a cover letter (1 page max) and a CV to the email address provided. Candidatures will be reviewed upon receipt, and the first round of interviews will start in late January.
Where to Apply
E‑mail: (email protected)
#J-18808-Ljbffr