Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI-OOM/2016/015

Job/Fellowship Reference: ARDITI-OOM/2016/015;

Main research field: Biological sciences;

Sub research field: Biodiversity;

Job summary:

In the scope of the project OOM (M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000001- Observatório Oceânico da Madeira), OOM-ARDITI is looking for a Marine biologist (PhD) with knowledge in Madeira marine biodiversity and expertise in the biological communities associated to Madeiran subtidal habitats, underwater sampling with different methodologies, and the development and implementation of a subtidal biodiversity research and monitoring program.

Job description:

The Ocean Observatory of Madeira (OOM) was created in 2014 as an autonomous research unit hosted by Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação, Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI) with the main goal of promoting an Excellence Centre, catalysing opportunities at regional, national and international level, with a multidisciplinary team dedicated to scientific research, innovation, education and public outreach within Marine Sciences and Technologies. OOM profits greatly from human and institutional resources existing within the Autonomous Region of Madeira, with emphasis on higher education, research institutions, companies and governmental agencies with relevant activities and competences in marine areas.

In recent times, oceans and seas are facing severe pressures resulting from numerous anthropogenic activities. Moreover, coastal areas are facing high levels of urbanization and the introduction of man-made marine infrastructures is changing marine ecosystems. Madeira Island is no exception; tourism and urban development lead to impressive growth with direct impact on the marine environment. The increased anthropogenic pressure in Madeira Island has placed new and unprecedented demands on the coastal marine resources with the continuous degradation of coastal habitats. The coastline has been extensively altered in the last decades by the construction of harbours, marinas, ripraps, breakwaters, pilings, pontoons, artificial wrecks and artificial sand beaches. Those infrastructures use a diversity of materials, such as natural rocks brought from land or dragged from the bottom, or materials such as concrete, metal or fiberglass and represent an effective aggregating device for marine organisms. However, this aggregating effect remains poorly studied in Madeira.

Moreover, under the obligations of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Madeira has to fulfil information gaps on several descriptors, such as Biodiversity (D1) and Seafloor Integrity (D6), requiring updated monitoring programmes and innovative research.

In the scope of the project OOM (M1420-01-0145-FEDER-000001- Observatório Oceânico da Madeira), OOM-ARDITI is looking for a Marine biologist (PhD) with knowledge in Madeira marine biodiversity and expertise in the biological communities associated to Madeiran subtidal habitats, underwater sampling with different methodologies, and the development and implementation of a subtidal biodiversity research and monitoring program.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team, and will take part in the sampling design, sampling operations, processing and analysing biological data, namely ichthyofauna and invertebrates mainly from the Madeira Archipelago.

Responsibilities include:

• Coordination and supervision of the Madeira Marine Biodiversity database (BioDivMarMadeira);
• Performing an inventory of the different marine infrastructures built along the Madeiran coast (types of infrastructure, types of substrates, depth range of implementation, age, location, etc);
• Development and implementation of a sampling programme to characterize the marine biodiversity in Madeiran ripraps and natural subtidal habitats;
• The use of scientific diving and underwater sampling methods to collect relevant data;
• Image processing, and taxonomic identification;
• Analysis and validation of the data obtained in order to evaluate how artificial substrates differ from natural ones in terms of community structure, diversity, abundance and size; and evaluate which factors promote biodiversity;
• Scientific publication of the results.

• Demonstrate experience in setting up a project in coastal communities;
• Expertise in Madeira marine biodiversity;
• Scientific diving certification;
• Experience using different in situ underwater methodologies;
• Experience sampling different habitats;
• Experience in marine biodiversity data research;
• Prior experience in marine biodiversity databases, preferably with BioDivMarMadeira;
• Prior experience coordinating field work;
• Strong communication and collaboration skills;
• Demonstrate strong ability to work independently in a self-directed environment.

• Perform literature review and develop a sampling design to evaluate the marine biodiversity of both selected Madeira ripraps built along the coast, and natural subtidal habitats;
• Coordinate the literature review and data organization on the Madeira marine biodiversity to integrate the BioDivMarMadeira database;
• Validate the information to be inserted in the Madeira Marine Biodiversity Database, BioDivMarMadeira;
• Coordinate a project team;
• Participate in field sampling campaigns;
• Analyse and validate the obtained data;
• Write technical reports and publish scientific papers in top scientific journals using the data obtained within the project.