PRR Project

Summary

CIIMAR is seeking a highly motivated marine researcher to conduct cross-disciplinary research that advances knowledge and understanding in the domains of ecology, ecosystem services and aquaculture.This position is a strategic initiative of CIIMAR aiming at a better understanding of the interplay between coastal ecosystems, human stressors, and seafood production in coastal areas. Given an increasing necessity of seafood production, coastal aquaculture is an emergent economic activity that needs to be based on solid scientific knowledge.There is a pressing need for comprehensive and holistic assessment of the costs and benefits of seafood production in coastal areas, balancing all goods and benefits provided with the potential negative impacts of the activity.By building strongly in ecological science, this position will broadly focus on the interactions between aquaculture systems and natural environments. This addresses a critical knowledge gap, important for analyzing and managing environmental effects of estuarine and coastal aquaculture, optimizing practices for safeguarding ecological functions, and contributing to the sustainable management of aquatic resources.This position therefore complements and leverages the long-standing expertise at CIIMAR in two of its main thematic lines - Aquaculture and Global Changes and Ecosystems Services - thereby bridging these two research areas.The hired Researcher is expected to advance fundamental process understanding of the functioning of coastal and estuarine areas across various spatial and temporal scales, to promote their natural capital, and to provide knowledge and tools for the sustained management of aquatic populations and their habitats. There is considerable flexibility for the selected candidate to shape the candidate’s own research line in alignment with the CIIMAR strategic plan.  Examples of research areas may include (but are not limited to):Development of growth models for cultured species to evaluate the effects of local and global environmental change on individual growth performance and production;Evaluate biodiversity benefits and other ecosystem services (ES), namely habitat provisioning, provided by aquaculture production systems;Assessing interactions of wild fauna (e.g., invertebrates, fishes) with aquaculture production systems;Understanding of biofouling development on aquaculture infrastructures and its impacts on bivalve production and on ecosystem functioning;Understand the contribution of aquaculture activities to aquatic pollution, namely as microplastics contamination source;Integration of ES provided by aquaculture in estuarine habitat enhancement, conservation, and restoration.??????? ?? Scientific profileThis position emphasizes a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach, integrating cutting-edge ecological and environmental assessment techniques with innovative data analysis methods to gain deep insights into the intricate dynamics between aquaculture and ecosystems. Ultimately, these research findingsThe ideal candidate should possess a robust background in aquatic ecology, marine science, or a related field, demonstrating a track record of conducting field studies firmly grounded in ecological theory. The candidate should exhibit a thorough understanding of both natural ecosystems and the dynamics of wild and farmed populations within them.Proficiency in planning, leading, and conducting field sampling in multiple aquatic habitats, using different monitoring techniques for various species groups is essential. Additionally, the candidate should possess strong skills in numerical ecology, statistical analysis, and mechanistic modeling to effectively analyze, and integrate collected data.Experience in managing and securing funding for projects related to aquaculture is desirable, along with a demonstrated ability to effectively transfer knowledge to diverse stakeholders, from aquaculture industry to managers, and civil society. The candidate should be adept at engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and be prepared to lead a cohesive research team, fostering mentorship opportunities for undergraduate and postgraduate students and fostering collaborative partnerships within CIIMAR.