Postdoc position in 'Ocean Acidification - proof of concept of new approaches'
Postdoc at Marine Biological Section
Department of Biology Faculty of Science
University of Copenhagen
The Project 'Ocean Acidification - proof of concept of new approaches', funded by the “Velux Fonden”, offers a 2 year post doc position in the field of assessing new approaches to detect the impact of ocean acidification. The project is a collaboration between the Marine Biological Section (MBS), University of Copenhagen, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, University of Gothenburg and Plymouth Marine Laboratories (PML). The postdoc will be employed at MBS, which is located in Helsingør. While Helsingør will be the main workplace, regular exchanges and travels to the partners' locations is envisaged.
So far, the biggest obstacle to increasing the overall effectiveness of biological observations for ocean acidification (OA) is a lack of clear guidance on what biological parameters to measure and, importantly, how such observations can be compared with others to generate greater understanding of the trends, hotspots, and patterns occurring over local, regional, and global scales. The studies to be undertaken by the post doc will help to overcome this obstacle in identifying a clear subset of biological variables and indicators that provide quantitative information across all ecosystems, as well as a method to not only understand the rate and severity of the local impact, but also to compare multiple datasets to deliver a greater holistic understanding of OA's biological impacts regionally and globally. Such methods will rely on biological observations being coupled with a suite of environmental observations including, but not limited to, measures of carbonate chemistry, in integrated observing activities.
Five fundamental ecosystem traits that span across marine ecosystems have been identified as potentially sensitive to OA. The objective is now to test this approach to develop best practices guidance for biological OA observations co- located with chemical monitoring. Such an approach would not only facilitate the creation of completely new observing activities that include both biological and biogeochemical observations from the start, but would also provide guidance on how existing biogeochemical ocean acidification monitoring programmes can add relevant biological observations to their suite of observations, and vice versa, to better appreciate the biological consequences of OA across regional and global scales.
The project outcomes will contribute to the Ocean Decade programme ‘Ocean Acidification Research for Sustainability' OARS, and particularly under Outcome 4, aim to increase understanding of ocean acidification impacts to protect marine life by 2030. Biological observations are an important complement to experimental studies as they set the boundary conditions within which to measure the rate of change (speed at which a given process changes over a specific period of time) in any given biological parameter.
Applicants should hold a PhD degree in a discipline of relevance for the research project. The position is open to both Danish and international applicants. The main criteria for selection will be the research potential of the applicant, the ability to work in a team distributed globally, innovative thinking and good communication skills. In addition, experience with the analysis of big data sets and long term time series, as well as good understanding of how physiological mechanisms are altered by changes in ocean acidification is necessary. Excellent English language skills will be required .
The supervisors will be Professor Per Juel Hansen, UCPH, Professor Sam Dupont, University of Gothenburg, Professor Steve Widdicombe, PML and Kirsten Isensee, IOC-UNESCO. An assessment committee will be appointed to evaluate the applications. The final selection of a successful candidate will be made based on the recommendations of the evaluation committee.
The postdoc's duties will include research and may also include performance of other duties.
Further information on the Department is linked at https: // www. science.ku.dk/english/about-the-faculty/organisation/. Inquiries about the position can be made to Prof. Per Juel Hansen. Mail: [email protected], Tel: +4526782117 and Dr. Kirsten Isensee, Programme Specialist, IOC-UNESCO. Mail: [email protected].
The position is open from 1 July 2024, or as soon as possible thereafter.
The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.
Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff.
Terms of appointment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State.
Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include
The deadline for applications is 11 April 2024 ECT+1
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.
You can read about the recruitment process at https: // employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews will be held during week 18.