Ecosystem services modelling and project coordinator profile

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3), offers a full-time technical scientific modelling position on the LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA Project – LIFE22-IPC-ES-LIFE-PYRENEES4CLIMA/101104957 – dedicated to mountain biodiversity and ecosystem functioning to ensure that they deliver ecosystem services, goods and benefits and using the ARIES (ARtificial Intelligence for Environment & Sustainability) platform. BC3 involvement is focused on WP 5 – Subtask 5.1.1 (Duration: Oct 2023 – Apr 2027) dedicated to the development of a web application serving the modeled ecosystem services at the Pyrenean level and in the case studies (Pyrenees, pre-Pyrenees, and Baztan-Bidasoa regions).

A key focus of ARIES is to integrate spatially explicit ecological and economic models to examine the link between ES and impacts on the socioeconomic status but also on environmental outcomes. Furthermore, to analyze potential future consequences of alternative land uses for both nature conservation and economic objectives. By developing spatially explicit models and incorporating in the analysis landscape scenarios it is possible to study the effect of changing features on ES dynamics. Analyzing the spatial dynamics of ES can provide a complete understanding of the supply and flows of particular benefits for specific beneficiary groups and enable to evaluate better trade-offs in environmental management.

The ARIES platform supports all activities of BC3 Research Line (RL) 5 on Integrated Modelling of Coupled Human-Natural Systems. The (https://aries.integratedmodelling.org/), is a semantic web infrastructure that uses AI to build computational solutions to environmental, policy and sustainability problems. The RL generates multidisciplinary scientific knowledge from human-nature interdependence to address complex sustainability problems through artificial intelligence (AI).

The goal of the RL is to provide environmental data, models and understanding by retrieving, evaluating, and integrating the existing information to support an effective policy-making where nature counts. Besides Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity, the RL also tackles Natural Capital Accounting, Conservation Finance, Food Security, Marine Spatial Planning, and Renewable Energy. All these products are used to inform sustainability decisions, e.g. SDGs.

About the project:

LIFE-SIP PYRENEES4CLIMA project aims to implement the first cross-border climate change strategy in Europe led by 6 regions and one state. The strategy targets a mountain range, the Pyrenees, with one of the highest biodiversity value in Europe and where the recent documented increase in recent temperature has been higher than the global average with measurable impacts on surface processes, natural resources and economic activities.

 Job description:

We are looking for a modeler and project coordinator profile who can manage and implement research projects dedicated to mountain ecosystem services and the development of the related ARIES technical tasks.

Key responsibilities:

• Head the scientific coordination of BC3 participation in the LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA Project.
• Head and coordinate model development and data integration within ARIES platform.
• Coordination of project meetings with LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA Project collaborators.
• National and international travelling and participation to LIFE PYRENEES4CLIMA Project related meetings when required.

Main requirements/skills:

• Suitable degree for developing the tasks above (a master’s degree at minimum).
• Previous experience in R&D projects (min of 5 years)
• Experience in project coordination and management.
• Ability to coordinate teamwork and interact with a broad range of scientific collaborators at European level.
• Experience in ecosystem services modelling (Experience with ARIES is a plus).
• Experience in geospatial data processing and management.
• Experience in programming languages.
• Excellent written and oral command of English (Spanish and French is a plus).
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience in agile management and in particular issue and project tracking.
• Ability to participate in teamwork and interact with a broad range of collaborators.
• Ability to work independently, with a diverse, multi-location and multi-lingual team.

Benefits and work environment:

• Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment
• Quiet and spacious workspaces
• Possibility of participating in internal training and academic activities of the center
• 35-hour week work calendar
• 30 days of vacation per year

Term of contract

Starting on the September 2024, the position will be granted until April of 2027, with a six-month probation period.

Salary

The position will carry competitive salary, matching the academic and professional profile of the applicant, and excellent work conditions.

Location

Basque Centre for Climate Change, Leioa, Spain.

As an HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliating research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for people independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Application procedure:

Fill the form below and upload one PDF document with the following information:

1. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages)
2. Letter of motivation of a page
3. Contact details of two referees

Deadline

30th July 2024 (CET 15:00).

Informal enquiries can be made to Stefano Balbi (stefano.balbi@bc3research.org) noting in the subject of the message “LIFE PYRENEES PROFILE”.

Please consider that only applications sent through the form included at the bottom of the BC3 web page will be considered (https://info.bc3research.org/job-offers/).