Job offer

European Commission; España; Presencial; EUR 22.000 - 35.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The European Commission is seeking a dedicated PhD candidate for research on aquatic ecosystems as part of the Marine and Continental Waters Program. This role focuses on the interplay of ecological dynamics, climate change, and human impact, aiming to inform management strategies for sustainable ecosystems. Candidates should possess relevant degrees and show strong enthusiasm for environmental science and collaboration.

Formación

• Candidates must hold a relevant bachelor's or master's degree.
• No previous PhD degree required.
• Strong interest in aquatic ecology and environmental change.

Responsabilidades

• Conduct research on aquatic ecosystem dynamics using paleoecology.
• Develop reference conditions for impacted Mediterranean wetlands.
• Collaborate within national and international networks.

Conocimientos

Environmental change

Aquatic ecology

Collaboration

Detail-oriented

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Geology, Environmental Sciences

Master's degree in Ecology, Geosciences, Paleoecology

Descripción del empleo

Organisation/Company IRTA Department Human Resources Research Field Environmental science » Ecology Biological sciences » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 9 Jul 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 16 Oct 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

IRTA is currently seeking an enthusiastic and motivated PhD candidate to join theMarine and Continental Waters Program. We invite applications from ambitious candidates with relevant research experience and passion to conduct research and innovation activities on the PhD project “Mobilizing paleoecology for sustainable aquatic ecosystems: using multi-proxy temporal data to contribute to management and recovery schemes (PAST4FUTURE)”. The objective of the thesis project is to investigate aquatic ecosystem dynamics at centennial and millennial time scales based on the responses of biological communities with complementary geochemical, molecular, and climatic reconstructions. This thesis will combine classical paleoenvironmental reconstructions using aquatic organisms (diatoms and foraminifera) with novel measurements of environmental change (ancient DNA) for i) developing reference conditions in highly dynamic and impacted Mediterranean coastal wetlands for a better implementation of the Water Framework Directive, ii) identifying unequivocal past anthropogenic influences to refine chronological frameworks of human and environment constraints in agroecosystem changes, and iii) elucidating relationships between past climates, past land-use changes, and diatom biodiversity in freshwater lake ecosystems to understand spatio-temporal variations of community and functional properties. Collectively, the three objectives will inform management and restoration actions to mitigate the impact of current anthropogenic impacts, including climate change.

Candidates must hold one of the following degrees:
a) A bachelor’s degree in Biology, Geology, Environmental Sciences or similar.
b) A master’s degree in Ecology, Geosciences, Paleoecology or similar; or
c) To be able to access a doctoral programme according to the requirements of Catalan universities, i.e. accrediting between 60 and 120 ECTS credits at the official university master's degree level or equivalent. Therefore, students who will obtain their master’s degree this academic year can apply.
Not to have a previous PhD degree.
Candidates who have been chosen for an interview with the Selection Committee, should bring or send –for the interview- a certified copy of the degree and/or master, as well as the academic record showing the marks of all subjects studied

Specific Requirements

Strong interest in environmental change and aquatic ecology

Rigorous and detail-oriented person, motivated to learn new skills

Previous work with diatoms and/or foraminifera, or molecular approaches

Enthusiasm for collaborations and team building, including national and international networks (see an overview of PhD supervisor’s projects here )

Interest in combining field, laboratory, and bioinformatic analyses

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Environmental science » EcologyBiological sciences » Other Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute IRTA- La Ràpita Country Spain State/Province Tarragona City La Ràpita Postal Code 43540 Street Carretera de Poble Nou, Km 5,5 La Ràpita, 43540 (Tarragona)