TOUR DU VALAT
A research centre for the conservation of Mediterranean wetlands
Tour du Valat
Post-doc or Research assistant for the project "Observatory of Mediterranean Wetlands"
Date limite de dépôt des candidatures : 09/05/2008
Mission :
As part of its project “Observatory of Mediterranean Wetlands”, Tour du Valat is seeking a post-doc or a research assistant for a period of 10 months with a view to completing:
- a synthesis of the available and most relevant integrated indicators for Mediterranean wetlands, and
- a pilot study on the valuation and accounting of ecosystem services in the Camargue.
Within the framework of this programme, this will involve:
- Completing the analysis of existing indicators and programmes for the inventory, monitoring and evaluation of biodiversity, based on the literature, documentation and information obtained through contacts.
- Selecting a range of synthetic indicators of condition, pressures and responses, for Mediterranean wetlands and for the Camargue, both in terms of biodiversity and from the human and socio-economic points of view.
- Producing a report on the results of these analyses for Mediterranean wetlands, including proposals for monitoring and evaluation tools for the Mediterranean Wetlands Observatory. Such review should be developed in close synergy with other European and international programmes.
- Apply the “Land and Ecosystem Accounting (LEAC)” methodology to the Camargue, as a pilot study, in partnership with the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Topic Centre on Land Use and Spatial Information (ETC-LUSI).
- Build an indicators model integrating the review on biodiversity indicators and the environmental services identified through the Land and Ecosystem Accounting pilot study.
- Developing communication tools (website, booklets, leaflets, publications, etc.) relating to the Observatory of Mediterranean Wetlands.
- Collaborating in the coordination of partnerships and networks, in the Camargue, in France and at international level.
- Collaborating in the organisation of, and participating in, the programme’s workshops and conferences.
This work is truly applied and it should allow to be capitalised in the form of publications: technical reports addressed to funding agencies and donors, research articles, dissemination articles, etc. As a result of this contract, one article submitted to a journal with impact factor (Journal Citation Report) is expected.
The post-doc will work under the supervision of the programme Coordinator and in collaboration with other project leaders.
Profil :
- Doctorate in ecology or in another scientific subject (geography, etc), including a strong environmental component.
- Engineer, Master (MSc) diploma with equivalent research experience.
- Good knowledge of the threats and issues associated with biodiversity conservation, especially relating to wetlands in the Mediterranean region;
- Good experience of integrated indicators and of database management.
- Ability to work within a team and to organise networks.
- Autonomy, initiative and capacity for analysis and synthesis.
- Proficient command of English and French, both written and spoken, is imperative. Other Mediterranean languages would be a bonus.
- Excellent writing and editorial skills.
- Ability for undertaking brief visits within Mediterranean countries and beyond;
- Driving licence.
Complementary information :
Place of work: Tour du Valat, Le Sambuc 13200 Arles, France.
Type of contract and salary: Fixed-term contract for 10 months within the framework of a post-doc or research assistant. Salary according to experience and skills, based on the scale set by the CCNA collective agreement in force at the Foundation.
Starting date: June 2008.
Candidature à adresser à :
Applicants are invited to send a covering letter and full CV, and the name and contact details (e-mail and telephone) of two reference persons to: secretariat.scientifiqueSPAMFILTER@tourduvalat.org by 9 May 2008.