The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) is the largest marine research centre of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). It is also the first marine science centre to be accredited as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, a recognition to the institution’s leadership in the field of marine research in Spain and to its commitment to create social impact.
Our goal is to develop research of excellence to inspire a society in harmony with the blue planet, in line with the values of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
For further information, please visit our website.
About the role and the team
We are recruiting an enthusiastic and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher interested in applying for competitive national and international fellowships (e.g., Juan de la Cierva, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) to work under the supervision of Dra. Elisa Berdalet and Dra. Cristina Romera-Castillo at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), within the Marine Biology and Oceanography Department.
The selected candidate will work on the characterization of dissolved organic matter, particularly, on dissolved carbohydrates and amino acids in seawater using advanced HPLC techniques. Research activities will include monthly sampling in the NW Mediterranean, participation in oceanographic cruises, and laboratory experiments involving bacteria and algal cultures. The project aims to better understand the sources, dynamics, and biogeochemical roles of key organic compounds in diverse marine ecosystems, from pristine to harmful algal blooms conditions. We look for a PhD in Marine Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science or a related discipline with demonstrated experience with analytical techniques, particularly HPLC for organic compounds quantification. The candidate should be strongly motivated to develop independent research and to apply for competitive national and international fellowships, and should also have the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Job description
The successful candidate will be involved in several tasks that include:
- Set up the technique to characterize and quantify dissolved carbohydrates and amino acids in seawater with HPLC.
- Study of the distribution and characterization of dissolved carbohydrates and amino acids in seawater from samples collected during monthly NW Mediterranean samplings, oceanographic cruises, and laboratory experiments.
- Analysis of dissolved organic matter.
- Data treatment.
- Manuscript writing.
Expected background and skills
- PhD in Marine Sciences, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or a related discipline
- Demonstrated experience with analytical techniques, particularly HPLC for organic compound quantification
- Programming skills
- Strong motivation to develop independent research and apply for competitive fellowships (national and international)
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Effective oral and written communication skills in English, including manuscript writing
- Experience in marine science research ecosystem is desirable
- Very good interpersonal communication
- Well-organized person with attention to details and multi-task capacity
- Proactive, flexible, problem-solving and team-player attitudes
The offer
- Highly stimulating environment with support services and professional guidance to enhance career development.
- Recruitment at ICM is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms.
The CSIC and all its research centers were awarded with the "HR Excellence in research" seal in 2021. This recognition reflects our commitment to continuously improve our human resources policies in line with the European charter for researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
Application procedure
Please send a motivation letter and your CV no later than November 30th to:
berdalet@icm.csic.es and crisrc@icm.csic.es
Candidatures will be reviewed upon reception and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview.