A one-year post-doctoral position (with potential extension) is available in the group of David Claessen at the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris (France), in the équipe "Eco-evolutionary mathematics".
The postdoc will be working in the context of the ANR-funded research project called “PHYTBACK - Ecology-climate feedbacks due to evolution of phytoplankton cell size and shape”. While the importance of phytoplankton ecology for the global carbon cycle is well established, the role of their evolution is much less so. The project aims to refine the definition of ecological processes and to allow for adaptation of phytoplankton cell size and shape in global circulation models, as well as in more strategic models for freshwater systems. Phytoplankton communities are size-structured, and ecological functioning depends strongly on cell size and shape. Furthermore, phytoplankton size will influence the effectiveness of the biological carbon pump, through which carbon is sequestered from the atmosphere into the ocean interior by cell sinking. Phytoplankton ecology will be modelled by accounting for physiological structure (cell size, shape, nutrient quota) of phytoplankton communities and the size structure of the entire food web. The models will be used to formulate quantitative, testable predictions, that will be put to the test in experimental setups (outdoor freshwater mesocosms) and by using ecological and genomic data from the Tara Oceans expedition. The post-doc project aims at modelling phytoplankton evolution in a 3D global circulation model (MITgcm) in collaboration with researchers at MIT, the ENS in Paris and the University of Pierre and Marie Curie in Paris. The candidate should have a strong background in theoretical ecology, mathematics or physics. Experience with ecological modelling, programming (C, Fortran), dynamical systems theory, numerical tools (bifurcation analysis, simulation) is highly appreciated. Candidates from mathematics or physics should have a proven interest in ecological and evolutionary problems. Experience with empirical systems is equally appreciated. Potential candidates should send their application by mail to David Claessen ([email protected]) with a statement of interest, a Curriculum Vitae and contact informations for two referees. The position will remain open until filled ; however applications received by November 1st 2013 will be given priority. The starting date is flexible (in 2013), with an early date preferred.
