Estudia especies invasoras en Hungría y desarrolla modelos predictivos con este postdoc ~ Bioblogia.net

19 de febrero de 2022

Estudia especies invasoras en Hungría y desarrolla modelos predictivos con este postdoc

Oferta compartida por Nuria

Climate change combined with a significant increase in international trade and tourism constitute the main causes behind the emergence of invasive species in Europe, which raise several ecological, epidemiological and economic problems. To understand the biological basis of this threat, we need to uncover the spatial and temporal patterns in association with the introduction and spread of invasive species, and to identify the underlying ecological factors. The fulfilment of these tasks requires the continuous monitoring of invasive species as well as their role in ecological interactions, for which many European country has organised surveillance programs. The Hungarian program run by the Centre for Ecological Research (CER, https://ecolres.hu/en) since 2019 targets three invasive species currently present in the country, and consists of a survey based on citizen science that is combined with subsequent field sampling and laboratory screens for parasites (http://mosquitosurveillance.hu). Based on the accumulated data, we are able to generate reliable and distribution maps in real time, and now an important part of our mission is to identify the environmental factors determining the spread of the focal species, for which we hope to attract a post-doc providing theoretical/statistical inputs. We expect the young researcher to help us effectively obtain and investigate as many predictor variables as possible, create an ecological profile each invasive species, and derive reliable estimates for future distribution dynamics. The new colleague would be in charge of collecting spatially and temporally structured data regarding the potential environmental predictors (e. g. climate, urbanization, demography, road network, habitat type, mosquito control programs, etc.), assigning these data to the available species-distribution patterns by multivariate models (ideally including machine learning), and then using the resulting information to build prediction models.

The post-doc project is founded by the main Hungarian funding body (National Research, Development and Innovation Office). The period of employment is one year, but the position could potentially be extended by an extra year in case of success. Given the covid situation and the theoretical aspects of the project, we offer high flexibility with regard to the working routine and allow remote contribution (while we also welcome group members who can physically join the research team at CER). The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union,
the starting date is flexible (but ideally as soon as possible).

As a formal qualification, the candidate must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent). Furthermore, we are looking for candidates with the following qualifications:
  • Background in ecology or in evolution with considerable expertise in statistics;
  • Experience in data mining and handling big data;
  • Experience in performing sophisticated statistical analyses (bioinformatics, machine learning, GIS, networks, phylogenetic models) and/or programming;
  • Experience in building prediction models;
  • Record of an excellent publication output.
Further information may be obtained from László Zsolt Garamszegi, garamszegi.laszlo@ecolres.hu .

Application procedure
Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration as an e-mail package to nagy.adrienn@ecolres.hu. Please, attach all your materials in English in one file, which includes:
  • Application (motivation letter)
  • CV
  • Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)
  • List of publications
  • List of potential references
All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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