[Coral-List] Post-doc opportunity (Moorea-Perpignan)

Valeriano Parravicini valeriano.parravicini at gmail.com
Sun Aug 13 12:39:10 EDT 2017


*POSITION AVAILABLE *

*Postdoctoral Research Fellowship*

*Ecological modeling, experimental ecology, physiology, molecular ecology*


*Duration: 30 Months, start date: early 2018*

A postdoctoral researcher position is available with the REEFLUX project,
an ANR-funded collaborative project to study energy fluxes on coral reefs.
The specific goal of the project is to disentangle trophic interactions,
energy and nutrient fluxes in coral reef fish communities by using data
from field collections and experiments, physiological trials, tank
experiments, molecular approaches and a holistic bioenergetics modeling
framework. The post-doc will work mainly with Valeriano Parravicini
(EPHE-CRIOBE, Perpignan, France) and Simon Brandl (Simon Fraser University,
Vancouver, CA).

The post-doc will 1) work closely with a collaborative field team composed
of graduate students, the PIs and other collaborators on obtaining data
from various components of the project, 2) devise a holistic model to
quantify shifts in energy fluxes on coral reefs due to measured changes in
cryptobenthic fish communities, 3) conduct her/his own research project on
a topic related to the project in collaboration with the PIs. The
post-doctoral position will be based at the CRIOBE in the core laboratory
on the University of Perpignan Campus, Perpignan (France). However, a
substantial part of the time during the postdoctoral appointment will also
be spent in Moorea (French Polynesia).


*KEY REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS*

The successful candidate must hold a PhD in ecology, marine science, or a
related field, demonstrate excellent quantitative skills, and have a strong
background in ecological modeling, trophic dynamics, and coral reef
ecology. Preference will be given to candidates with additional skills,
interests, and experience in one or several of the following fields:
ichthyology, experimental ecology, physiology, life-history, molecular
ecology and/or stable isotope analyses. Applicants will need to be
comfortable living and working in France and at a field station on a remote
island in the South Pacific (Moorea, French Polynesia), but proficiency in
French is not essential. The successful candidate will work within the
framework of two large recently funded projects in collaboration with
several other international leaders in coral reef ecology.


*PROJECT CONTEXT AND OVERARCHING OBJECTIVES*

Modern coral reefs are maintained by structurally-complex coral forms that
sustain many small-bodied and fast-growing fish species (cryptobenthic
fishes), which, in turn, may be responsible for the transfer of biomass to
higher trophic levels. However, the dependence of cryptobenthic fish
assemblages on the structure of the benthic habitat makes them particularly
vulnerable to the effects of global changes. Future coral reefs will likely
be subjected to frequent die-offs of corals; yet, the ecological
consequences of this phenomenon are still largely unknown. The major goal
of this project is to quantify the consequences of live coral loss for
trophic dynamics on coral reefs. The post-doc will participate in the
collection of data to quantify trophic roles, metabolic needs, and
consumption rates of cryptobenthic fishes, and ultimately lead the
construction of a detailed food-web characterizing energy flows across
cryptobenthic fish communities and the potential effects of changes in live
coral habitat. In addition, the post-doc is expected to devise an
independent project on a related topic in collaboration with the PIs that
reflects her/his interests.


*HOW TO APPLY*

Interested applicants should send a cover letter describing qualifications
and career goals, a research statement (including a preliminary framework
for an independent project), a CV, and letters of recommendation from two
referees to valeriano.parravicini at gmail.com. Applicants will receive an
e-mail confirming their application has been received. Questions on the
position can be directed to Valeriano Parravicini (
valeriano.parravicini at gmail.com) or Simon Brandl (simonjbrandl at gmail.com).


*CLOSING DATE*

Review of applications will begin on the 30th September 2017. However, we
will continue to accept application materials until the position is filled.
The start date for the position is February 2018, although an earlier start
date can be possible.


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