Postdoctoral Fellowship Position: Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (BDFFP), Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil—Interactive Effects of Climate and Fragmentation on Biomass Dynamics
The BDFFP project, one of the longest running and largest ecological experiments in the world (est. 1979), is seeking outstanding candidates for one (1) postdoctoral position to coordinate and develop research in the project "How do forests of central Amazonia respond to climate change? Effects on forest dynamics and interaction with forest fragmentation" (CNPq / LBA Program) lead by Dr. Rita Mesquita. Key Information & Requisites: - Fellowship lasts 24 months with a monthly salary of R $ 4,000.00 administered by the Brazilian National Scientific and Technological Development Center (CNPq). (Classified as a ‘Technological Development, DTI - Level A’ fellowship.) - This full-time fellowship is intended for a professional scientist with a PhD in an area of the Life Sciences (e.g., ecology, forestry, geography, biogeochemistry). - Fluency or high proficiency in Portuguese and English are required. - The expected start date for this fellowship is March/April 2015. - The fellowship recipient must live in Manaus for the duration and will be based in the BDFFP Project office located on campus II of the Brazilian National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA) with regular visits to the BDFFP site (~2.5 hours north). *- For full consideration applications must be submitted by the 25th of February 2015.* [Contact Ze Luis Camargo, zeluiscamargo at gmail dot com, and Scott Stark, scott.c.stark at gmail dot com, with brief summary of credentials and justification, if you wish to request short extension for full consideration.] Detailed Description: The selected researcher will coordinate and develop research activities and manage a team of project technicians to achieve the following objectives: (1) Test predictive models of biomass dynamics with remote observations of three-dimensional structure (LiDAR) across sites including mature, fragmented and regenerating forest; (2) Develop an integrated ‘environmental drivers’ dataset for the BDFFP that draws on existing and new collections of soil, rainfall and climate variables through time and relate this dataset to forest dynamics in the BDFFP plot network. (3) The successful candidate will be expected to take a leadership role in 2 publications (one for each year) intended for high quality international journals detailing project findings. The first will likely focus on environmental drivers, fragmentation and biomass dynamics. The second, while a team effort, will reflect the successful candidate’s core interest in the project, an opportunity for significant additional professional development. Qualification Requirements: • Experience with research in ecology and publications in high impact journals; • Interest and ability for multidisciplinary research focused on ecological issues; • Ability to manipulate and analyze databases, including georeferenced data in a GIS environment; • Experience involving teams coordination and / or management of people in the field; • Good capacity for synthesis, organization and proactivity; • Willingness to work in a team and to interact with other project participants; • Analysis and management of data in scripting language (eg R); • Good oral language skills in Portuguese (for foreigners) and good oral and written skills in English. Additional desirable candidate skills: • Experience or knowledge in geo-referencing; • Experience with hydro-meteorological instrumentation; • Experience in forest monitoring in permanent plots; • Experience with remote sensing and integrated summaries with field data; • Collaboration in research networks. BDFFP Study Area Description: BDFFP study areas are located 80 - 100 km north of the city of Manaus, making up the Area of Relevant Ecological Interest for the Biological Dynamics of Forest Fragments Project (ARIE BDFFP -ARIE PDBFF - http://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/biodiversidade/unidades-de-conservacao/biomasbrasileiros/amazonia/unidades-de-conservacao-amazonia/1907-arie-projeto-dinamica-biologicade-fragmentos-florestais.html), a federal conservation area managed by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio; CONAMA Resolution 005 of June 5th 1984) together with INPA. The ARIE BDFFP consists of 23 forest plots established between 1979 and 1990, of which 11 are forest fragments and 12 are located in areas of contiguous primary tropical rain forest. Fragment plots are surrounded by areas ranging from old pasture to secondary forests. Through the 35-year history of BDPPF more than 650 publications have contributed to a transformative research legacy regarding such issues as the effects of fragmentation on biodiversity. The current project represents a significant new direction for the BDFFP that leverages the long-term dataset to understand synergistic effects of climate and fragmentation on forest function and biosphereatmosphereinteractions. The BDFFP has six camps with complete infrastructure (kitchen, dining, lab space, hammock sleeping quarters, generators, wells and radios). Open sided but roofed with cement floors, these camps are comfortable but rustic and are enjoyable places to live and work for periods. There are also toilets and showers. Transportation is by INPA vehicles and will be coordinated with the project. Selection Process: The applicant must submit electronically the following documents: • Lattes (or CV for foreigners) updated specifying academic and extracurricular training, work experience, participation in research projects and scientific and technical publications; • A concise (one page) cover letter containing: - Your motivation for application; - How your academic and professional experience meets the criteria and has prepared you for work in this project; - Your professional objectives beyond the project; - If resident in another region, your motivation for seeking to work in the Amazon; - Stating your ability to commit to living and working in Manaus; - Name and contact information for two professional references – we may contact these references by email and or phone to solicit recommendations. Deadline and Submission Instructions: For full consideration documents must be submitted by February 25th, 2015 in pdf format via email to [email protected], copying the Scientific Coordinator of BDFFP Jose Luis Camargo, [email protected]. The email must be entitled as follows “SELEÇÃO DE BOLSISTAS - BOLSA Postdoc – [YOUR NAME]”. Please include the following documents and information: 1) Lattes CV (for Brazilians) or short CV for foreigners; 2) Cover letter as specified above; 3) Name and contact information of two professional references (in email body); 4) One scientific publication authored by the candidate. After document review, short-listed candidates will be contacted to schedule in person or Skype interviews according to availability. A note for foreign candidates: a work/research visa is required. Information about visa application would be provided after final selection.
