PhD Position in Wildlife Ecology: Impact of Brown bear expansion and human activities on the Pyrenean ungulate community

Institution: Forest Science and Technology center of Catalonia (CTFC)
Department: Landscape dynamics and biodiversity program, Conservation Biology group (GBiC).
Location: Solsona, Catalonia, Spain.

Description: We invite applications for a PhD position in Wildlife Ecology at GBiC (CTFC, Solsona). The successful candidate will work on an extensive 15-year camera trap dataset to study spatio-temporal dynamics of ungulate communities (Red deer, Roe deer, Fallow deer, Pyrenean chamois, and Wild boar) in the Pyrenees. The once almost extinct Pyrenean Brown bear population has been expanding owing to several successful translocations starting in the nineties. The candidate will evaluate the effect of the Brown bear population expansion and anthropogenic activities (such as hunting or tourism) on the behavior and distribution of ungulate species. The candidate will participate in developing the specific research questions of the PhD. Some of the activities expected during the PhD will involve implementing occupancy models to assess species distribution and the publication of research articles. No fieldwork is required, but the candidate can occasionally join field activities. The project will be supervised by Victor Sazatornil (head of GBiC, CTFC) and Ana Sanz Pérez (postdoctoral researcher at Instituto Mixto de Investigación en Biodiversidad, IMIB, Asturias). There is potential for an international collaboration with Dr. Rahel Sollmann at the Leibniz Institute of Zoo and Wildlife Research (Berlin) and other research institutions.

Requirements: Applicants must have an MSc degree in Biology, or a related field with a focus on Ecology. The successful candidate should be able to work both independently and as part of a team, have excellent written and spoken English skills, and knowledge of, or willingness to learn about, statistical modeling and programing in R. The funding of the PhD position is dependent upon the candidate obtaining a grant from the Catalonian Government (FI – Formación del personal Investigador). Therefore, high academic grades at the bachelor’s and master’s level, previous scientific publications, participation in conferences, and international stays, will be very beneficial. Willingness to learn Spanish/Catalan will be an additional asset.
Funding and Duration: The selected candidate is expected to apply for the FI grant with the support of GBiC in September 2024. The grant provides funding for up to 3 years starting in April/May 2025, including full benefits (e.g., health insurance) and additional funding for conference travel and research expenses.

Application Procedure: Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
• A cover letter detailing your motivation and fit for the position.
• A detailed CV including your academic background, research experience, and publications.
• Copies of academic transcripts, including the average Bachelor’s and Master’s grades.
• Contact information for two academic or professional references.

Applications should be sent by email to Ana Sanz Pérez (anasanz.asp@gmail.com) and Victor Sazatornil (victor.sazatornil@ctfc.cat) before the 26th of July.

We look forward to receiving your application!