PRR Project

Summary

This position is for a researcher in Evolutionary Agroecology. This researcher must have extensive knowledge and experience in applying tools of evolutionary biology in the context of agroecosystems.To complement his/her research program in evolutionary agroecology, this researcher is expected to collaborate with other CE3C researchers, as well as from the other Research Centres of CHANGE (the Associated Laboratory to which CE3C is part of) including ecologists, evolutionary biologists and geneticists, in interdisciplinary studies and projects covering topics as genomics of adaptation, climate change adaptation, conservation biology and ecosystem functioning. The researcher is responsible for acquiring national and international funding to maintain his/her research program and team and is expected to apply for funding targeting integrative and strategic projects in collaboration with other CE3C members, the entire Research Centre and CHANGE.The profile required for this position includes: i) a PhD in biological sciences or related areas; ii) experience of post-doctoral research in evolutionary agroecology and associated disciplines, such as evolutionary biology and evolutionary ecology, applied to the agroecosystem; iii) published evidence of excellent research ability; iv) experience in supervising postgraduate students and as leader of research teams; v) experience in applying to external research funding and as principal investigator of research projects; vi) excellent proficiency in English (written and spoken).Preferred qualifications also include: i) national and international scientific collaborations and participation in research networks and consortia; ii) excellent proficiency in Portuguese (written and spoken).Climate change has been posing several challenges to agriculture. These challenges have paved the way for the application of agroecological practices that incorporate ecological information of the crop system and set the stage for evolutionary mechanisms to operate. As such, knowledge of how agricultural systems are shaped by evolution has become a timely endeavour. Recent work in agroecosystems suggests the existence of unforeseen complexity at all levels, including that stemming from interactions between organisms (e.g., plant-herbivore, herbivore-herbivore) or from exposure to multiple stressors like pesticides and high temperatures. Therefore, a fundamental goal in agroecology should be to determine the adaptive potential of organisms inserted in the agroecosystem to concurrent selection pressures and the genetic basis of such adaptation, incorporating field and laboratory experiments. Namely experimental evolution applied to crop-pest systems, or other similar approaches will add a fundamental understanding of the eco-evolutionary dynamics of agroecosystems. Work in evolutionary agroecology will be key to improve agro-ecosystems and establish effective climate change mitigation strategies in an agricultural context, significantly contributing to the achievement of SDG’s 2 (Zero Hunger), 12 (Responsible consumption and production) and 13 (Climate Action).The area of evolutionary agroecology is strategic for CE3C and CHANGE, as it brings together evolution, ecology and environmental change. Several members of CE3C are ecologists working in agroecosystems (e.g. in plant-soil ecology, plant biotechnology, functional ecology), and there is a strong community of evolutionary biologists working on different topics such as the adaptation to complex environments and evolutionary genomics. The hired researcher is expected to work at the intersection between these fields, benefiting from, and promoting the interactions between, these members. This will allow CE3C to embark on new research avenues and develop integrative projects with a greater scope. Agroecosystems and their sustainability is one of the main focus of CHANGE, and as such this research plan is of high relevance. This area of research will also consolidate CE3C’s and CHANGE’s relationship with public and private stakeholders from the agricultural sector, this way fostering their pursuit of contributing will solutions to environmentally friendly, resource-efficient and competitive economies under current and future climate change.CE3C and CHANGE are certain of the importance of expanding the research in agroecology and consider the hiring of a researcher with extensive knowledge and experience in the application of evolutionary ecology in such context a priority.