PhD candidate in carbon biogeochemistry in inland waters Ref. (PRE16303062024)

3 Jun 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Universitat de Barcelona

Department

Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Research Field

Environmental science

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

2 Jul 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

37,5

Offer Starting Date

1 Oct 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

Yes

Offer Description

Unravelling the role of calcite on the carbon budget of inland waters Keywords: lakes, carbon cycle, calcite, whiting, water scarcity Context: Inland waters are a net source of carbon (C) to the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) supersaturation in inland waters is caused by organic matter respiration, carbonate weathering, and calcium carbonates (calcite) precipitation. Approximately 60% of the global lakes and reservoirs show moderate to high alkalinity levels where calcite precipitation is likely to occur. Yet, the role of calcite cycling has been so far largely overlooked.  The pelagic calcite precipitation-dissolution cycle is tightly linked to the organic C loop: precipitation coincides with primary production when photosynthesis shifts the carbonate equilibrium, and dissolution occurs when aerobic and anaerobic respiration releases CO2 and produces favourable conditions for calcite dissolution. Although the overall calcite precipitation/dissolution mechanisms have been documented from in situ or lab incubation experiments, the large-scale impact of calcite precipitation and dissolution on the C sink/source balance in inland waters remains largely unknown. Pelagic calcite precipitation likely takes place seasonally at low background levels during the warm season. But sometimes, it produces spectacular whiting events, turning the surface waters into a milky-blue colour, detectable with satellite imagery. Despite convincing evidence of whiting events in multiple waterbodies of diverse geographical locations, there is currently no large-scale assessment of their spatial and temporal occurrence, impeding the possibility to evaluate the importance of calcite precipitation events on the global C cycle. Moreover, as a result of climate change and human water use, an increasing number of water bodies are becoming shallower and seasonally or totally dry, contracting their water volume and exposing large quantities of lake sediments to the atmosphere. The fate of the sedimentary inorganic C stock exposed to hydrological contraction or recurrent dry/wet conditions remains largely unknown. Objectives: i) Determine how calcite precipitation/dissolution impact the overall C cycle in inland waters; ii) Identify the key drivers for the occurrence of whiting events in lakes and reservoirs; iii) Evaluate the effect of water scarcity on inorganic C processes. Methodological approach: Depending on the candidate’s interest, several approaches can be followed, including the analysis of existing databases of lake biogeochemistry for a large number of lakes and reservoirs, multi-spectral optical satellite data, in situ measurements campaigns, laboratory experiments, and process-based numerical modelling.  Scientific environment: the successful candidate will become core member of the Carbon and Nutrient Biogeochemistry in Aquatic Systems (CANBAS) research team at the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA) of the University of Barcelona, Spain. The candidate will benefit from strong interactions with other researchers working on this topic at the national and international level. The candidate will join the Doctoral program in Ecology, Environmental Sciences and Plant Physiology (ECOCAFIV). Supervisors: Dr. Biel Obrador, Dr. Camille Minaudo Disciplines: Limnology, Biogeochemistry, Geosciences, Remote sensing Useful Links: - CANBAS research group: https://canbas.weebly.com - BEECA Department at UB: https://www.ub.edu/portal/web/dp-ebees/home - ECOCAFIV Doctorate: https://web.ub.edu/en/web/estudis/w/phd-hdk0h

Requirements

Research Field

Environmental science

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Hold a BSc/MSc in Ecology, Environmental Sciences, Limnology, Remote Sensing of the environment, or Geosicences, and fulfil the requirements to be admitted into a Doctoral program at the Universitat de Barcelona (https://www.ub.edu/escoladoctorat/en/access-and-admission/access-pathways-and-requirements )

Specific Requirements

 

- Eager to learn and acquire new skills, the candidate must demonstrate a strong interest for the ecology of aquatic ecosystems.

- Prior experience in conducting research, preferably in a related field, is desirable. Candidates should demonstrate critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to contribute to innovative research projects.

- Prior participation in fieldwork activities in aquatic ecosystems will be appreciated. Proficiency with GIS data analysis, programming skills (e.g. R, Python) and a commitment to open science principles will be highly valued.

- We seek outstanding candidates with a strong academic background, willingness to work in an interdisciplinary vibrant environment, and a strong commitment to collaborative, supportive, inclusive and equity-based work ethics.

- Willingness to work in multicultural environments.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Other

Internal Application form(s) needed
Sol·licitud i declaració responsable.pdf
English
(587.16 KB - PDF)
Download
How to the application to the offer.pdf
English
(296.94 KB - PDF)
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Additional Information
Benefits

This is a 3-year PhD position planned to start on 01/10/2024.

Gross annual salary: 21,560 EUR, with a full-time work contract (37.5 hrs/week). The researcher will be offered the option to participate in teaching activities for professional development

Eligibility criteria

A specific committee will evaluate the applications using the following criteria:

-          Grade point average of the academic transcripts from the applicant's bachelor's or master's degree studies (or 1st and 2nd cycle): up to 5 points out of a total of 10.

-          Curricular merits: up to 1 point out of a total of 10 in accordance with the specific criteria listed in Annex 1.

-          Suitability for the tasks to be performed within the framework of the research project or research support position to which the successful candidate will be attached: up to 4 points out of a total of 10.

Selection process

The specific committee will agree upon an award proposal and draw up a prioritized shortlist of candidates who have achieved a minimum of five points or declare the call for applications null and void if none of the applicants reach the minimum score.

Candidates may be invited to an interview in order to check their curricular merits and suitability for the project tasks.

The award proposal will be published in the UB's electronic office and must include the total scores of the candidates that have received a total of at least five points.

 

Application Process:

According to the specific requirements and selection criteria, the candidates are expected to provide at least the following documents:

•   Application form

·     Full CV

·     BSc and MSc academic transcripts

Additional comments

The candidate proposed for hiring must accept the job offer within 5 working days from the date of notification of the selection.

Be aware that the starting date set in this offer is an estimate date. The official starting date will depend on the time necessary for administration to prepare the labour contract and present the necessary documents for the selected candidate to be hired.

 

Submission of a motivation letter and of the names and contacts of up to three persons to provide reference will be considered.

 

 

Priority will be given to people with disabilities (Law 89/2015 of June 2, reserve of quota 2% in favour of people with disabilities in companies of 50 or more people).

Website for additional job details

https://canbas.weebly.com/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universitat de Barcelona

Country

Spain

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Postal Code

08028

Street

Av. Diagonal, 643

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.ub.edu/eadministracio/IG.html

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Website

https://canbas.weebly.com/

Street

Diagonal, 643

Postal Code

08028

E-Mail

[email protected]
[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED