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Job: Reasearchers to assist in assessing MSFD Descriptor 4 in the Macaronesian subregion in Project Mistic Seas III;
Job/Fellowship Reference: ARDITI-MSIII-2019-001;
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Job summary: In the context of Project MISTIC SEAS III, ARDITI is looking for two researchers with knowledge and experience in the study of top predators’ ecology, including deep knowledge and understanding of line-transect Distance sampling, spatial modelling, and/or Mark-recapture methodologies relevant to improve existing monitoring programs, in trophic and energy flow related studies including top predators and field work experience in the collection of top predators’ skin biopsies at sea and collection and processing stomach contents. It is also relevant to have a deep understanding of the MSFD assessment and risk-assessment methodologies.
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| Job description: “MISTIC SEAS III – Developing a coordinated approach for assessing Descriptor 4 via its linkage with D1 and other relevant descriptors in the Macaronesian subregion”, is a project financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), through DG Environment (MFSD 2018 call) (MISTICSEAS3_GA.110661/2018/794676/SUB/ENV.C2). The project aims to address the assessment of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 4 (Ecosystems, including food webs) at the Macaronesian sub-regional level following the criteria set up under the new Commission GES Decision 2017/848/EC.
This fellowship is to contract researchers to assist in the definition and testing of methodologies that allow the identification of trophic guilds (i.e. groups of species that are representative of each trophic level), compile an up-to-date review on information covering methods to establish the data requirements for the selection of indicators, criteria and thresholds for D4 and summarise relevant knowledge and data available on marine species, ecosystems and anthropogenic pressures, especially in the Azores, Madeira and Canaries. The work will consider three levels, namely, top predator trophic guild, middle trophic guild (commercial and non-commercial fish species) and primary producer trophic guild. Special attention will be given to the upper trophic levels – top predators – since much work has already been undertaken (Project Mistic Seas II) to obtain their abundances, ranges and population parameters (covered under D1) in a coordinated way in Macaronesia.
In the context of Project MISTIC SEAS III, ARDITI is looking for two researchers with knowledge and experience in the study of top predators’ ecology, including deep knowledge and understanding of line-transect Distance sampling, spatial modelling, and/or Mark-recapture methodologies relevant to improve existing monitoring programs, in trophic and energy flow related studies including top predators and field work experience in the collection of top predators’ skin biopsies at sea and collection and processing stomach contents. It is also relevant to have a deep understanding of the MSFD assessment and risk-assessment methodologies.
The selected applicant will temporarily integrate the Madeira Whale Museum team (partner of OOM - Madeira Oceanic Observatory), with experience in the ecological study of top predators, specially cetaceans, and their relationship with the marine environment, including, trophic relationships.
Requirements For the applicant to be considered a candidate for this scholarship it is required to have at least a PhD and experience in:
- MSFD indicators assessment, specially related with top-predators such as cetaceans, preferably in the Macaronesia sub-region; - Experience in trophic and energy flow related studies including top predators; Workplan
The responsibilities of the researchers include, among others:
• Participate in the relevant technical-scientific workshops to agree on methodologies, mechanisms for data flow among partners, data modelling and other project tasks; • Assist in the definition and testing of methodologies that allow the identification of trophic guilds (i.e. groups of species that are representative of each trophic level) and improvement of monitoring programs of Descriptors 1,3 and 4; • Do literature reviews (e.g. diversity, abundance, size distribution, productivity), data compilation, organization, processing and analysis related with aims of the project; • Participate in field work to collect samples of stomach contents, skin samples for stable isotopes and other samples to fill gaps relevant for the purpose of the project and assist in the lab work to process and analysed those samples; • Collaborate in the ecosystem modelling exercises focus on trophic linkages using Ecopath with Ecosim (EwE); • Tackle gaps for Descriptors 1, 3 and 4 of MSFD and participate in the selection of optimal sets of indicators for those Descriptors; • Participate in the risk-assessment exercises considered in one of the work packages; • Collaborate in writing-up the project’s follow-up reports and technical reports related with tasks in which the researchers are involved; • Participate in the relevant project meetings to discuss methodologies, protocols, data analysis, management, risk-assessment and other related issues; • Collaborate with other tasks of Project MISTIC SEAS III related with area of the researchers’ expertise and knowledge; Scientific guidance and workplace
The work will be carried out at the Science Unit of the Madeira Whale Museum, Caniçal, Madeira Island, under the coordination of Luís Freitas.
Duration 12 months (renewable to a maximum of 24 months or to the total duration of the project).
Salary
ARDITI fellowship stipend for PhD holders (1509,80€) and regulations are determined by ARDITI.
Evaluation criteria
The evaluation criteria will be the following:
FS = QA + EP + ML FS – Final Scores QA – Qualifications EP – Experience ML – Motivation The Jury may decide to conduct an interview, that happening, will contribute to 40% of the final scores (i.e., the joint score of the CV evaluation and motivation letter will be 60% of the final score).
QA:
• 3 points – PhD in marine Biology or Ecology; EP: • 3 points - Experience in the marine ecology studies in Macaronesia related with MSFD indicators assessment; • 3 points - MSFD indicators assessment, specially related with top-predators such as cetaceans in the Macaronesia sub-region, including experience and knowledge of line-transect Distance sampling surveys, spatial modelling, and/or Mark-recapture methodology relevant to improve existing monitoring programs in order to streamline data collection where feasible and to fill gaps, taking into consideration the integration of indicators proposed in the project; • 2 points – Experience in carrying out comprehensive literature reviews, data compilation, organization and processing and databases’ management; • 2 points – Field work experience in the collection of top predators’ skin biopsies at sea and collection and processing of dead stranded cetaceans and fish stomach contents; • 2 points – Experience in using ArcGIS (or other GIS software) and R software to process spatial (e.g. remote sensing data, distribution data) and other data and to carry out statistical analysis; • 1 point - Experience in international collaborative projects and multidisciplinary workshops; • 1 point – Good knowledge of Portuguese and/or Spanish, spoken and written; ML:
• 3 points – Motivation; Selection panel
Application contents
Anouncement of the results
Via e-mail.
All applications must be sent by e-mail to:
Notes:
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Vacant posts: 2 |
| Type of contract: Other |
| Job country: Portugal |
| Job city: Funchal |
| Job company/institute: ARDITI |