PRR Project

Summary

1.1. Job Description:The prospective employee will be responsible for conducting research in the scientific area of Earth and Related Environmental Sciences, with a specialization in Oceanography and environmental sciences, focusing particularly on micropaleontology and the study of living and fossil benthic foraminifera as indicators of climate and environmental changes through time.Responsibilities include conducting research activities in coastal ecosystems to understand the natural evolution, the impacts of climate change and human activities on continental shelf environments at different geological time scales, and assessing the effects of alkalinity enhancement as a carbon dioxide removal measure. It will also support the application of the aspiring Algarvensis geopark for UNESCO Global Geopark by analyzing coastal and marine sedimentary records, in order to shed light on environmental and climatic changes on the Algarve continental shelf. Specific study areas include the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon, the Algarve, and Andalusian continental shelf margins.Duties will include fieldwork campaigns, participation in oceanographic cruises, data collection and analysis, publication of research results, to support aspiring Algarvensis geopark application, collaboration with Câmara Municipal de Loulé (CM Loulé) to advance pivotal strategic objectives, the dissemination of scientific knowledge to society and participation in the University of Algarve - Centre for Marine and Environmental Research (UAlg - CIMA) management activities.1.2. Scientific Profile:The ideal candidate should hold a Ph.D. in Marine Sciences – Oceanography, with expertise in micropaleontology (benthic foraminifera), paleoenvironmental evolution, impacts of climate changes, and human activities on continental shelf environments, alkalinity enhancement as a measure for carbon dioxide removal. Preference will be given to the researcher that is acquainted with Mediterranean climatic conditions and environments since the last interglacial stage.Strong research skills using multiproxy approaches, including micropaleontology, sedimentology, geochemistry, and geochronology are required.The candidate should have a track record of international collaboration, research funding acquisition, and publications in high-impact journals.Experience in coordinating research teams, supervising students, and teaching in academic settings is desirable.Proficiency in institutional management and contribution to academic and scientific policies is advantageous.1.3. Rationale for Hiring:The need to hire in this scientific area is justified by the importance of ongoing research in coastal ecosystems, particularly those affected by climate change and human impacts. Additionally, there is a pressing need to evaluate the impacts of new technical measures for carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere.In the context of global climatic change, a profound knowledge of ecosystem functioning and marine biota responses to natural and anthropogenic changes are essential to provide tools to monitor and develop pathways to use and manage marine goods and services. Reconstructions of past ecosystems and climatic conditions, facilitated by well-dated and calibrated proxy records, are crucial for understanding historical climate dynamics and predicting future scenarios. The benthic foraminifera, as microfaunal indicators, hold significant potential for addressing these critical questions.The future employee will play a key role in advancing knowledge of environmental and climatic changes through the geological past and in testing carbon dioxide removal measures to combat climate change. The collaboration with the CM Loulé will contribute to the development of its pivotal strategic objectives, namely sustainable territorial development and climate change mitigation and adaptation, of which the creation of the UNESCO Global Geopark Algarvensis is an instrument of advancing.By leading research projects, attracting new funding, and establishing new international collaborations, the appointee will strengthen the institution´s research capacity, enhance its international reputation, and contribute to addressing pressing environmental challenges.