General areas of responsibility
Located at IFREMER in Brest, France, the benthic ecology laboratory (LEBCO) studies coastal marine ecosystem diversity and functioning. Much of our work focuses on species and community responses to natural and anthropogenic stressors. By combining in-situ and experimental observations with theoretical models, the lab develops and uses complementary approaches to (1) describe and understand biodiversity patterns and functioning, and (2) observe and model benthic habitat distribution.
We are looking to recruit an enthusiastic and motivated postdoctoral fellow to develop a multi-species dynamics simulation model as a decision-support tool for coastal reefs ecosystems and fisheries in the Western Mediterranean Sea.
The MUrFor (Managing sustainable sea URchin fishery and marine FORest conservation) project aims at developing a management-support framework for coastal reef ecosystems and fisheries in the Western Mediterranean. Specifically, the project will help delineate a safe operating space, so as to secure sustainable harvesting of natural resources (i.e. fishes and sea urchins) from Mediterranean marine forest habitats, while maintaining ecosystem functioning and biodiversity conservation. Project outcomes will specifically help identify critical thresholds leading to hard-to-reverse shifts related to sea urchin population status (i.e. local stock collapse following overharvesting), habitat state (i.e. formation of barrens following destructive grazing of seaweed forests by sea urchin), and fishery economic viability.
In addition to field observations, project objectives will be achieved by developing a suite of complementary socio-ecological system modelling approaches (informed by all previous modelling effort, field observations, in-situ experiments and stakeholder engagement). Simulations with each approach will contribute to forecast consequences of alternative management scenarios and assess trade-offs in terms of ecological state, biodiversity, exploited stock sustainability and economic viability of the fisheries involved. Models will capture key processes that drive ecological dynamics and human activities related to shallow macroalgal communities on Mediterranean rocky reefs. They will be calibrated to simulate observed dynamics and trends. Model simulations of shifts in dynamics will then help estimate socio-ecosystem thresholds, including for instance ecological ones related to sea urchin population collapse or barren formation.
General areas of responsibility
This 18-month postdoc position will directly contribute to project objectives by developing a multi-species bio-economic simulation model to capture (i) shifts from productive seaweed beds to sea urchin barrens, (ii) local collapse of sea urchin populations following overharvesting, as well as (iii) major costs and benefits that determine coastal reef fisheries profitability. Thus, expected results include:
(1) estimating the thresholds beyond which either, sea urchin barrens form, or sea urchin populations locally collapse, or small-scale associated fisheries become economically unviable; and
(2) assessing the consequences of alternative scenarios (related to both management and local environmental conditions).
Principal activities
The 18-month postdoctoral fellow will be in charge of developing a minimal realistic (or model of intermediate complexity; Plaganyi et al., 2014) size-structured bio-economic simulation model adapted from Marzloff et al. (2013) to the Western Mediterranean local context(s). So as to capture multi-species dynamics of seaweed forest, sea urchin populations and predatory sparid populations, model development will build upon both, available experimental results and field-based observations in each of the major MurFor project case studies (i.e. Catalonia and Sardinia), as well as existing modelling framework (Boada et al., 2017). An economic module will be developed, parametrized and added to the multi-trophic model so as to capture feedbacks between biomass and fishing activity. This bio-economic component will be critical to estimate costs and benefits related to alternative scenarios (as performed in Robinson et al., 2022).
- Boada J, Arthur R, Alonso D, Pagès JF, et al. (2017) Immanent conditions determine imminent collapses: nutrient regimes define the resilience of macroalgal communities. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284(1851): 20162814. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.279.5352.860
- Marzloff MP, Johnson CR, Little LR, Soulié JC, et al. (2013) Sensitivity analysis and pattern-oriented validation of TRITON, a model with alternative community states: Insights on temperate rocky reefs dynamics. Ecological Modelling, 258: https://doi.org/16-32. 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2013.02.022
- Marzloff MP, Little LR, Johnson CR (2016) Building resilience against climate-driven shifts in a temperate reef system: staying away from context-dependent ecological thresholds. Ecosystems, 19: 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-015-9913-6
- Plaganyi, E. E., Punt, A. E., Hillary, R., et al. (2014). Multispecies fisheries management and conservation: tactical applications using models of intermediate complexity. Fish and Fisheries, 15(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2012.00488.x
- Robinson, L. M., Marzloff, M. P., van Putten, I., et al. (2020). Decision support for the Ecosystem-Based Management of a Range-Extending Species in a Global Marine Hotspot Presents Effective Strategies and Challenges. Ecosystems. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10021-020-00560-1
Collaborative work environment
The successful candidate will be based at Ifremer in Brest, France, in the Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics research unit (DYNECO) with strong interactions with the marine economics and law mixed research unit (AMURE). Regular interactions with field ecologists and other modelers involved in the MurFor project may involve extended research stays in Spanish and Italian research institutes (i.e. CEAB-CSIC and University of Barcelona in Spain; SZN as well as Università degli Study di Sassari in Italy).
Required Knowledge, skills, and characteristics
To be eligible, applicants must have obtained their PhD in the past 3 years.
PhD in quantitative ecology / ecological statistics / ecosystem modelling with demonstrated experience in numerical ecology and modelling.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- PhD in quantitative ecology / ecological statistics / ecosystem modelling with demonstrated experience in numerical ecology and modelling.
- Background and research experience in coastal marine ecology (expertise on subtidal rocky reef would be appreciated)
- Experience in programming with R, Python or other languages
- Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required;
- Abilities in French, Spanish and/or Italian appreciated.
Human qualities
- Good people skills and an ability to work within a diverse research team;
- Autonomy;
- Interest in presenting your results at national and international conferences.
Specific working conditions
This is a full-time 18-month position. Net salary ~ 2,000 € (depending on candidate experience).
Extended work trips to Spain or Italy to collaborate with MurFor projet partner.
All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Informal enquiries may be made to Martin MARZLOFF (Martin.Marzloff@ifremer.fr), Sophie GOURGUET (Sophie.Gourguet@ifremer.fr) and Jordi BOADA (jboada@ceab.csic.es).
The Institute and the recruiting departement
A pioneer in ocean science, IFREMER’s cutting-edge research is grounded in sustainable development and open science. Our vision is to advance science, expertise and innovation to:
- Protect and restore the ocean
- Sustainably use marine resources to benefit society
- Create and share ocean data, information & knowledge.
With more than 1,500 personnel spread along the French coastline in more than 20 sites, the Institute explores the 3 great oceans: the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific oceans. A leader in ocean science, IFREMER is managing the French Oceanographic Fleet and its dedicated scientists create ground-breaking technology to push the boundaries of ocean exploration and knowledge, from the abyss to the atmosphere-ocean interface.
Well-established in the international scientific community, our scientists, engineers and technicians are committed to advance knowledge about our planet’s last unexplored frontiers. They provide the science we need for informed decision-making and public policy and they transfer this knowledge and technology to businesses to fulfill public and private needs. Core to our mission is also to strengthen public awareness about the importance of understanding the ocean and its resources, and empowering future generations of leaders through education and outreach national campaigns.
Founded in 1984, IFREMER is a French public organization and its budget approximates 240 million euros. It is operating under the joint authority of the French Ministry for Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the french Ministry of the Sea, the French Ministry for the Ecological and Solidary Transition, and the French Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Deadline for applications: 13/04/2024
All applications are processed exclusively via our website. Interested candidates can apply by clicking the “Apply” button.
For more information about the opportunity click here.