The ‘Rui Nabeiro’ Biodiversity Chair and the Applied Population and Community Ecology Research Group (CIBIO, University of Évora) is opening calls for 8 post doctoral research fellowships in the fields of macroecology, biogeography, thermal eco-physiology, population biology, landscape ecology and climatology. The positions are to be filled in January 2013 for a period of 24 months.

Starting date: January 2013.

Duration: 24 months

Stipend: EUR 1495-2000 per month (depending on experience and/or skills) plus social security. The stipend value is free from taxation.

Other subsidies: EUR 800 per year to participate in scientific meetings and conferences.

Research environment:

The post doctoral researchers will be associated with ‘Rui Nabeiro’ Biodiversity Chair (http://www.catedra.uevora.pt/rui-nabeiro/index.php) and the Applied Population and Community Ecology Research Group, CIBIO, University of Évora, and will closely interact with the sister laboratory at the CSIC National Museum of Natural Sciences in Madrid (www.ibiochange.mncn.csic.es).

Required background and skills

When applying we encourage candidates to propose their own projects in the cover letter taking into account the research interests of the hosts (Miguel B. Araújo for P1, P2, P3; António Mira for P4; Hari Prasad and Miguel Araújo for P5; Regan Early for P6). Applications will fall within following major themes:

(PD1) Macroecology/Biogeography/Phylogeography (3 fellowships) – The candidates will be involved in extensive analysis of macroecological data across space and time and have strong background in theoretical ecology and/or have skills in species distribution modelling, phylogeography, statistics, data-mining, and network analysis. Programming skills in R will be highly valued.

(PD2) Thermal ecophysiology (1 fellowship) – The candidate will coordinate a large-scale thermal eco-physiological experiment involving Iberian lizards as well as an extensive field campaign across the Iberian Peninsula. He/she is expected to have experience with Iberian herptofauna, thermal ecophysiology, and a strong interest in integrative biology. Additional skills related to PD1 or PD3 would be desirable.

(PD3) Population biology (1 fellowship) – The candidate will be involved in the development of coupled ecological niche/ metapopulation models under climate and land use change. He/she will have background in theoretical population biology as well as meta-population modelling, and have a keen interest in the development of quantitative tools for spatial conservation planning. Programming skills are required.

(PD4) Landscape ecology (1 fellowship) – The candidate will be involved in the development of analysis of connectivity across patchy landscapes. The post doc will have strong background in meta-population ecology, connectivity modelling, use of quantitative tools for landscape conservation planning, and GIS.

(PD5) Climatology (1 fellowship) – The candidate will be involved in the generation of high resolution regional climate models. He/she will have a background in climatology and/or meteorology and strong computational skills.

(PD6) An 8th position in Species Distribution Modelling and GIS is being advertised separately by Co-PI Regan Early. See http://reganearly.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/ec21c_jobannouncement_postdoc.pdf

Language: English as a first or second language is required.

Publication record: Candidates are expected to have a good publication record in internationally refereed journals.

Application: Applications are sent by email (catedra-biodiversidade@uevora.pt) before the 20st of December 2012. When applying quote the number of the fellowship you are applying for in the subject of the message (e.g., application to PD1). The application must include a 1-2 pages cover letter (in English) detailing your current research interests and explaining why you think you are an adequate candidate for the post, a short CV including the list of all publications and skills, PDFs or external links to five of your most relevant papers, and the names and contacts of two senior faculty researchers that can provide a reference for you.