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Job description:
The Project MIMAR - Seguimiento, control y mitigación de proliferaciones de organismos marinos asociadas a perturbaciones humanas y cambio climático en la Región Macaronésica (MAC/4.6d/066), financed under the Interreg MAC 2014-2020 Programme – aims to investigate the proliferation of potentially harmful marine non-indigenous species associated with anthropogenic pressures and climate change in the Macaronesia region.
The project intends to expand the current knowledge of marine species with potential adverse impact in Red NATURA 2000 habitats, by identifying possible mechanisms that promote their dispersal and potential/preferential vectors of introduction in the Macaronesia region and neighbouring countries. Finally, the project will use its major findings to propose monitoring, control and mitigation actions and plans to prevent their introduction and possible impacts.
Within the scope of this project, OOM-ARDITI is looking for a marine biologist (Master degree or equivalent) with expertise in marine ecology, particularly with prior experience and/or training in marine invasion ecology and climate change.
The candidate is expected to develop and implement monitoring protocols of non-indigenous species in harbours, marinas (and neighbouring areas) of the Madeira archipelago (and other locations in Macaronesia); to investigate possible vectors of introduction of non-indigenous species in Macaronesian waters, with particular emphasis on shipping history, hull fouling and ballast water; to investigate habitat and ecosystem changes and shifts in benthic communities, resulting from anthropogenic pressures and climate change.
The successful candidate will join the Madeira Unit of MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre (MARE-Madeira), located at Quinta do Lorde Marina, Caniçal, Madeira. The research team of MARE-Madeira has broad interests and formal training in marine biology, community ecology, marine biogeography and invasion biology and their research is focused primarily on marine benthic communities.
Responsibilities include:
- Characterize shipping traffic in the region;
- To investigate distributions patterns (diversity and abundance) of marine non-indigenous species in the coastal waters of Macaronesia, particularly based on detections in harbors, marinas and neighboring areas.
- Conduct monitoring surveys in ship hulls of recreational vessels using SCUBA diving.
- Conduct monitoring surveys of artificial substrates within and outside harbors and marinas;
- Conduct Ballast water sampling;
- Collect water samples and multiparameter analysis;
- Develop a protocol for rapid risk assessment of non-indigenous species introduction in the region;
- Conduct intertidal and subtidal surveys;
- Evaluate direct and indirect effects of climate change on key species with tropical affinity by integrating field data surveys and conducting mesocosm experiments.
Admission Requirements
The ideal candidate will have a Master Degree in Marine Sciences (Marine Biology or other related field) and previous experience in the following areas:
- Background and proven track record in marine and experimental ecology
- Basic knowledge in experimental design and statistics
- Experience in mesocosm systems (or similar) is preferred
- Previous experience with data analysis and data handling
- Demonstrated experience and/or previous work on marine artificial substrates is preferred
- Prior work on different taxonomic groups and some experience with invasive species
- Solid skills in marine biological field work (intertidal and subtidal environments)
- Experience with snorkel, SCUBA diving (European EN 14153-2 level or equivalent preferred).
- Scientific diving experience will be preferred
- Demonstrated ability to work independently
- Fluent knowledge (spoken and written) of the English language.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
Workplan
- Characterize shipping traffic in the region
- Conduct monitoring surveys of artificial substrates within and outside harbors and marinas by following standard protocols.
- Conduct monitoring surveys in hulls of recreational vessels using SCUBA diving.
- Species identification and respective biogeographic statuses (native, non-native or cryptogenic)
- Develop a protocol for rapid risk assessment of non-indigenous species introduction in the region.
- Ecological assessment to evaluatepotential effects of climate change on the coastal ecosystem of Madeira.
- Conduct mesocosm experiments to evaluate direct and indirect effects of climate change on key species with tropical affinity
- Perform literature search related with specific topics;
- Write reports and contribute to other written outputs
Scientific guidance and workplace
The work will be coordinated by João Canning-Clode (PhD) and Ignacio Gestoso (PhD) at the Madeira Unit of MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, in Quinta do Lorde Marina, Caniçal, Madeira Island (Portugal).
Duração da(s) bolsa(s)
12 months, renewable up to 32 months
Salary
980€/month tax free - ARDITI research fellowship (BI - Master) monthly maintenance stipend and regulations are determined by ‘FCT-Fundação para a Ciência Tecnologia’ (http://www.fct.pt/apoios/bolsas/valores.phtml.en).
Evaluation criteria
The following evaluation criteria will be applied:
FS = QA + EP
FS – Final Score
QA – Qualifications
EP – Experience
QA:
5points–Master Degree in marine biology (or related field)
EP:
5 points - Experience in experimental ecology, experimental design and statistics
4 points - Prior work on different taxonomic groups and experience with invasive species
3 points - Experience in marine biological field work (intertidal and subtidal environments)
2 points - Advanced experience with snorkel and SCUBA diving
1 point - publication(s) in peer-review journals
Selection panel
- João Canning-Clode
- Ignacio Gestoso
- Clemente Aguiar
Application contents
- Motivation Letter (emphasizing the candidate’s adequacy to each evaluation criteria)
- Curriculum Vitae
- Degree certificate
Anouncement of the results
Via e-mail.
Application submission and deadline
The application is to be submitted by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. until the 29th April 2017.
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