Postdoctoral Opportunity – Spatial Bayesian Modelling and Raptor Conservation

Biodiversity Research Institut-University of Barcelona (IRBio-UB); España; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Biodiversity Research Institut-University of Barcelona (IRBio-UB) in Spain invites expressions of interest for a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship to join our RAPTORCONS team. The selected candidate will develop and apply advanced spatial modelling to understand how human-driven environmental changes affect raptor populations across scales.

The postdoc will work with international collaborators in ecological statistics and conservation biology, leveraging large biodiversity datasets and

Qualifications

• Strong quantitative and programming skills, particularly in R.
• Experience with Bayesian hierarchical models, spatial or spatiotemporal statistics, and ecological data analysis.
• Experience with R-INLA, or integrated species distribution models, which would be especially valuable.
• A PhD in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline.
• A strong publication record relative to career stage, scientific independence, and an interest in collaborative research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply large-scale spatial modelling approaches for RAPTORCONS.
• Collaborate with the principal investigator, a PhD researcher, and international collaborators in ecological statistics and conservation biology.
• Contribute to interpretation of species distributions, abundance patterns and population trends in response to environmental change.

Skills

Quantitative skills

Programming (R)

Bayesian models

Spatial statistics

Education

PhD or equivalent

Tools

R-INLA

Integrated species distribution models

Job description

Biodiversity Research Institut-University of Barcelona (IRBio-UB)

Organisation/Company Biodiversity Research Institut-University of Barcelona (IRBio-UB) Research Field Biological sciences » Biodiversity Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 9 Nov 2026 - 20:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time 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

We are seeking expressions of interest from motivated early-career researchers interested in applying for a Juan de la Cierva postdoctoral fellowship to join
our research team at the University of Barcelona (UB), Spain.
The selected candidate will contribute to RAPTORCONS, a four-year research project funded by the Spanish State Research Agency, investigating how humandriven environmental changes affect raptor populations across spatial scales, from local to continental levels.

The research will focus on developing and applying advanced spatial and hierarchical modelling approaches to integrate large-scale biodiversity datasets, including bird atlases, long-term monitoring programmes, and citizen-science observations. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding species distributions, abundance patterns, population trends, and their responses to environmental change.

The postdoctoral researcher will develop and apply large-scale spatial modelling approaches, working closely with the principal investigator, a PhD researcher, and international collaborators specializing in ecological statistics, population ecology, and conservation biology.

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Biodiversity Education Level PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Strong quantitative and programming skills, particularly in R.

Experience with Bayesian hierarchical models, spatial or spatiotemporal statistics, and ecological data analysis.

Experience with R-INLA, or integrated species distribution models, which would be especially valuable.

Specific Requirements

A PhD in Ecology, Biology, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline.

A strong publication record relative to career stage, scientific independence, and an interest in collaborative research

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences » Biodiversity

Internal Application form(s) needed

The position is subject to the successful award of a competitive Juan de la Cierva fellowship from the Spanish State Research Agency (AEI). Candidates must meet the eligibility requirements of the official 2026 call: https://www.ciencia.gob.es/Convocatorias/2026/JDC2026.html

• A CV, including publication record and PhD completion date.
• A brief description of their research interests, quantitative expertise, and motivation for joining the project.

Additional comments

Research environment
The successful candidate will join a collaborative research environment at the University of Barcelona ( https://web.ub.edu/en/web/facultat-biologia/ ), with expertise in population ecology, ecological modelling, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation.
The position offers opportunities for international scientific collaboration and professional development within RAPTORCONS.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut de recerca de la Biodiversitat UNIVERSITAT de BARCELONA Country Spain Geofield