Postdoctoral Fellowship in Post remediation site investigation.
Post remediation site investigation dynamics and/or continuous biomass sampling with relation to improved assessment of variable stress and its relevance to improvement of biodiversity and ecosystem value. Modification of biodiversity influencing factors in a study site and consequent soil sampling. Investigation of links between soil abiotic parameters, geology, history and biodiversity
ER2, 2 years starting 1 July 2012
Research Objectives:
Investigation of the interactions and links between soil abiotic parameters, geology,
history, biodiversity and soil function. Quantification of the economic value of soil services provided by soil biodiversity. Assessment of the inter-relationships between biodiversity levels in soil ecosystems.
Soil is by far the most species-rich of the Earth´s many microbial habitats with hundreds of thousands of different microbial species in a few grams. Soil will continue to be vital component contributing to ecosystem services. In this project we will use Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to explore the bacterial biodiversity and its links with ecosystem services. The project aims to Develop a high throughput analyses toolbox for soil biodiversity and activity -based on cutting-edge molecular technologies that will enable cost-efficient in-depth analyses of the diversity and activity of soil microorganisms and soil microfauna that will be used to help to evaluate ecosystem services that these soils provide. The candidate will link public bioinformatics pipelines and existing pipelines at collaborating partners, and will create relevant bioinformatic data sets on factors involved in evaluation of links between biodiversity and ecosystem function.
The position is funded for 2 years through a recently established "Trainbiodiverse" FP7Marie Curie Initial Training Network. The project will be carried out at Section of WSR address and other contact information such as website etc
The position is to be filled as close to 1 January 2012 as possible.
Qualifications:
We are looking for an expert biologist with experience in microbial ecology and very confident with relevant statistical analysis, able to find links among a lot of variables such as those related to a natural environment and those found as an anthropogenic consequence (e.g. pollution and remediation activities).
PhD in microbiology, molecular biology or similar. Applicants must be in the first 5 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and already in possession of a doctoral degree, independently of the time taken to acquire it OR having at least 4 years full-time equivalent research experience, after obtaining the degree which formally allows you to embark on a doctorate in the country in which the degree/diploma was obtained.
Furthermore, you must have documented experience regarding bio-ecological analysis of microbes and the environmental parameters affecting their life and development, beside familiarity with related geologic and economic issues in order to be able to have an awareness at 360 degrees about their potential services.
Documented experience with GIS systems and related applications to ecosystems.
Advanced knowledge of statistical software and Microsoft Office Package.
Fluency in English.
You will be able to engage in teamwork within the group and our collaborators.
For further information, contact: Dr. Federico Caldera, federico.caldera@wsr.it, +39-037647532.
Application:
The application must contain:
Motivated letter of application
Curriculum vitae
List of publications
Transcript of university examinations (in English.
Contact details of 2 persons for references.
An assessment committee will evaluate the applications. The applicant will be notified of the composition of the committee. Each applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns her/him. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant.
Recruiting is in accordance with the rules for Marie Curie Initial Training Networks. Post doctoral candidates must either be in position of a doctoral degree or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience. In both cases they should have less than 5 years of full-time research experience.
At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
The salary of the candidate will be in accordance with the rules and regulations laid down in the Marie Curie Grant Agreement.
Application procedure
We must have your online application by April 30th, 2012. Please open the link (see below) and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV, a list of publications, copy of master diploma and Ph.D. diploma, and possibly other material that you want to be included in the evaluation.
Apply online to federico.caldera@wsr.it
Applications and enclosures received after the deadline or with insufficient documentation or otherwise not complying with the above requirements, may not be considered.
WSR wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
