Open positions

APPLICATE (Advanced Prediction in Polar regions and beyond: modelling, observing system design and LInkages associated with ArctiC ClimATE change) is a 4-year project, funded by the European Commission under the Horizon 2020 program, and coordinated by the Alfred Wegener Institute, Bremerhaven (16 partners), that aims at advancing our ability to model and predict the Arctic climate system along with its impacts on the weather and climate in lower latitudes (www.applicate.eu).

The successful candidate will contribute to improve the Louvain-la-Neuve sea ice model (LIM; www.climate.be/lim), which is part of the Nucleus for European Modelling of the Ocean (NEMO; www.nemo-ocean.eu) platform, by incorporating in this model subgrid-scale snow thickness and ice floe size distributions together with a comprehensive representation of lateral ice melting and form drag. He/she will also assess the impact of these changes on the ability of the EC-Earth general circulation model (www.ec-earth.org), which includes NEMO-LIM, to predict the Arctic weather and climate on short timescales (one month to one year).

Required qualifications:

• Completed MSc or equivalent (5 years) in glaciology, physical oceanography, climatology, physics, applied mathematics or related fields;
• Experience using complex numerical models and good computational programming, post-processing and data management skills;
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills (in English) necessary to work in a multidisciplinary team environment, author technical and scientific reports and publications, and deliver scientific presentations.

The PhD grant is for 42 months, starting as soon as possible, with a net monthly salary of about 1850 EUR. This includes social insurances.

Applicants should send (i) a statement of research experience, qualification and interest, (ii) a complete CV including a list of publications, and (iii) two letters of recommendation via e-mail to Prof. Thierry Fichefet.

The call is open until the position is filled.

The global livestock sector faces major challenges in terms of the sustainability of its development due to the considerable externalities that livestock production has on society, health and the environment. High-resolution maps of livestock are essential tools to assess the sustainability of livestock production systems. Maps allow, for example, the estimation of potential impacts of various hazards that have strong spatial dimensions such as the release of pollutants. They are also particularly important in epidemiology, because the density of hosts (people, or livestock, or both) is a key variable affecting the emergence, persistence and spread of infectious diseases. The main objective of this research will be to identify innovative ways to improve the spatial realism of outputs of livestock distribution maps and to explore how alternative forms of modelling and representation could provide more spatially realistic outputs at different scales. This will focus on the dynamics aspects of livestock production in emerging economies and intensifying systems.

Profile and requested competences

Master in geography with strong training in GIS and spatial analysis and statistics, working knowledge of English, and a strong interest in ecology, agriculture and epidemiology. The candidate should demonstrate an ability to work in a research team and to establish a local and international network.

Contract

30 months work contract starting July 2017

Application

Send a detailed CV and a motivation letter to Professor Sophie Vanwambeke by email by 15th of May 2017. Applicants shortlisted for an interview will be required to prepare a summary of a set of scientific papers.

Contact

Prof. Sophie Vanwambeke, sophie.vanwambeke@uclouvain.be Georges Lemaître Centre for Earth and Climate Research, Earth & Life Institute, http://www.uclouvain.be/teclim

Thesis Objectives:
The research fellow will work on the fungal diversity associated with Alkanna tinctoria and Lithospermum erythrorhizon and their impact on plant growth and metabolites production. More specifically, the research fellow will
- assess arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and fungal endophytes diversity associated with A. tinctoria and L. erythrorhizon from the wild and in the field
- isolate, identify and preserve AMF and fungal endophytes from A. tinctoria and L. erythrorhizon and related plants
- test and evaluate the role of AMF and fungal endophytes for plant growth promotion and root colonization
- evaluate the role of AMF on plant metabolites production
Expected results:
- Fungal diversity associated to A. tinctoria and L. erythrorhizon
- Short list of AMF and fungal endophytes associated with plant growth promotion and metabolites production
- Short list of fungal/bacterial combinations improving plant growth and metabolites production
- ESR trained in AMF and fungal endophyte cultivation, beneficial plant-microbe interactions, metabolomics, high throughput screening, metabolite identification and quantification - 2 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, ≥2 international/national (oral, poster) conference presentations, a PhD thesis
Secondments
The fellow researcher will have to follow a number of secondment(s):
- In Austria (AIT Austrian Institute for Technology) – month 10 to 12 – 3 months – to (1) study the interaction of fungal endophytes and bacteria for association to A. tinctoria and L. erythrorhizon and (2) investigate fungal/bacterial communities.
- In Greece (University of Athens) – month 15 to 160 – 2 months – to extract targeted metabolites and metabolome analysis for AMF/fungal endophytes
- In Germany (Wilhelms Best) – month 34 to 36 – 3 months – to receive training on the development and production of a microbial product.
Additional Information
1. Specific Requirements
=>> Requirement 1 (early-stage researchers): Applicants must, at the date of recruitment by MICROMETABOLITE, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him/her to embark on a doctorate) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
==> Requirement 2 (mobility rule): Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. This excludes short stays such as holidays or compulsory national service.
==> Requirement 3 (specialisation): Candidates should have a master level degree or equivalent in microbiology, agronomy or plant physiology. Experience in the research scope of MICROMETABOLITE is a vital asset.
==> Requirement 4 (English): Proficiency in English is essential, as it is the working language of the MICROMETABOLITE Network.
2. Benefits
• Enrollment for PhD studies at the Université catholique de Louvain Doctoral School
• Individual research training trajectory, on-site supervision
• Full-time contract
• Salary according to Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions funding scheme including a monthly living allowance (3110 €) a monthly mobility allowance (600 €), a monthly family allowance (500 €). A correction factor will be applied per country, therefore the exact gross salary will be confirmed upon appointment. Please consider that the net salary may be 20-30% lower due to taxes, social benefit premiums etc.
• Conducting research in young, international and multicultural team
• For more information on MICROMETABOLITE, please visit: http://www.micrometabolite.eu/micrometabolite/Eligibility criteria
3. Application procedure and selection process
Recruitment will follow the principles set out in the European Charter for Researchers and in the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (2005/251/EC; http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess), in accordance with the hosts’ standard procedures and in line with their Equal Opportunities Policies. Recruitement will integrate the gender dimension (http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_ social/equ_opp/index_en.htm) to ensure equal employment opportunities for both sexes. The project will ensure an open competition at international level.
The selection will be made by a Recruitment Committee, which will be gender balanced and comprise diverse expertise and competences.
The selection process will take into consideration the whole range of experience of the candidates (judging merit). For instance, their creativity, curiosity, motivation, and level of independence will be considered. Similarly, mobility experience will be considered as a valuable contribution to the professional development of the researcher.
• A first selection will be made on CV. Each candidate will be informed about the strengths and weaknesses of his/her application.
• A short list of potential candidates will be contacted and interviews conducted within the following two weeks by skype.
• Final decision will be taken within one week and each candidate will be informed about the outcome. outcome.
==> Offer starting date: 15/05/2017
==> Application deadline: 15/07/2017
==> Interviews: between 21/08/2017 and 08/09/2017
==> Envisaged job starting date: between 01/10/2017 and 15/10/2017
==> To apply, please send your CV together with a letter of motivation and referee(s) to Stéphan Declerck (stephan.declerck@uclouvain.be)

Thesis Objectives:
The research fellow will work on the development of a semi-hydroponic system associating plants and microbes for optimal SM production. More specifically, the research fellow will
- Select model organisms from collections with known impact on metabolites production and/or plant growth promotion
- Develop a semi-hydroponic system associating the above-mentioned microorganisms with Alkanna tinctoria and Lithospermum erythrorhizon
- Extend the system to microorganisms showing plant growth promotion and/or increased/altered SM production
- Evaluate microbial combinations on SM production in semi-hydroponics systems and to optimize SM production

Expected results:
- An innovative semi-hydroponics system for plant-microbes associates and SM production
- Identifying the optimal stage of production via dynamics of colonization and SM assessment
- ESR trained in plant-microbe interactions, in vitro culturing/hydroponics of plants/microbes, metabolomics, transcriptomics
- 2 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals, ≥2 international/national (oral, poster) conference presentations, a PhD thesis
Secondments
The fellow researcher will have to follow a number of secondment(s):
- In Germany (Institut fur pflanzenkultur – month 8 to 10 – 3 months – to study the in vitro plant production systems to evaluate the reliability of semi-hydroponics
- In Germany (Wilhelms Best) WB* – month 16 – 1 month - to receive training on the production and application of AMF
- In Austria (AIT Austrian Institute for Technology) – month 19 to 20 – 2 months – to study SM encoding gene expression of plants grown in semi-hydroponic systems
- In Greece (University of Athens) – month 28 to 30 – 3 months –be trained in metabolite extraction via eco-friendly technologies and metabolome analysis.
Additional Information
1. Specific Requirements
=> Requirement 1 (early-stage researchers): Applicants must, at the date of recruitment by MICROMETABOLITE, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him/her to embark on a doctorate) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
=> Requirement 2 (mobility rule): Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. This excludes short stays such as holidays or compulsory national service.
=> Requirement 3 (specialisation): Candidates should have a master level degree or equivalent in microbiology, agronomy or plant physiology. Experience in the research scope of MICROMETABOLITE is a vital asset.
=> Requirement 4 (English): Proficiency in English is essential, as it is the working language of the MICROMETABOLITE Network.
2. Benefits
=> Enrollment for PhD studies at the Université catholique de Louvain Doctoral School
=> Individual research training trajectory, on-site supervision
=> Full-time contract
=> Salary according to Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions funding scheme including a monthly living allowance (3110 €) a monthly mobility allowance (600 €), a monthly family allowance (500 €). A correction factor will be applied per country, therefore the exact gross salary will be confirmed upon appointment. Please consider that the net salary may be 20-30% lower due to taxes, social benefit premiums etc.
=> Conducting research in young, international and multicultural team
=> For more information on MICROMETABOLITE, please visit: http://www.micrometabolite.eu/micrometabolite/Eligibility criteria
3. Application procedure and selection process
Recruitment will follow the principles set out in the European Charter for Researchers and in the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (2005/251/EC; http://ec.europa.eu/euraxess), in accordance with the hosts’ standard procedures and in line with their Equal Opportunities Policies. Recruitement will integrate the gender dimension (http://europa.eu.int/comm/employment_ social/equ_opp/index_en.htm) to ensure equal employment opportunities for both sexes. The project will ensure an open competition at international level.
The selection will be made by a Recruitment Committee, which will be gender balanced and comprise diverse expertise and competences.
The selection process will take into consideration the whole range of experience of the candidates (judging merit). For instance, their creativity, curiosity, motivation, and level of independence will be considered. Similarly, mobility experience will be considered as a valuable contribution to the professional development of the researcher.
=> A first selection will be made on CV. Each candidate will be informed about the strengths and weaknesses of his/her application.
=> A short list of potential candidates will be contacted and interviews conducted within the following two weeks by skype.
=> Final decision will be taken within one week and each candidate will be informed about the outcome.
=> Offer starting date: 15/05/2017
=> Application deadline: 15/07/2017
=> Interviews: between 21/08/2017 and 08/09/2017
=> Envisaged job starting date: between 01/10/2017 and 15/10/2017
To apply, please send your CV together with Stéphan Declerck (stephan.declerck@uclouvain.be)