Researcher – Offshore wind farms, marine biodiversity and socioeconomics

Researcher – Offshore wind farms, marine biodiversity and socioeconomics

The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the most multidisciplinary research institute on marine science in Spain, and the leading scientific organization in Southern Europe. 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 the our website.

The role and the team

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and highly motivated researcher. The successful candidate will be integrated in the Plankton Ecology and Ocean Health research group, and will perform tasks for the EU Horizon project “Nature-inclusive Designs For Reconciling Offshore Renewables With Ocean Protection” (NID4OCEAN): 

(https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101156861).

The successful candidate will be responsible for supporting the research and transfer of knowledge of the NID4OCEAN project related to the activities carried out by the ICM.

Job description

The successful candidate will be involved in: 

• Map existing Novel Inclusive Designs (NiDs) for offshore renewables, focusing on offshore wind farms (OWF), and compile a catalogue considering the specific technological and ecological context of the Mediterranean.

• Identify gaps and provide future directions for novel NiDs, particularly for emerging technologies (e.g., floating offshore turbines, floating solar).

• Design new science-based tools to support the impact evaluation of Nature Inclusive design measures at different scales.

• Recommendations towards standards for NiDs in OWF

• Review the environmental and socio-economic impacts, and the socio-political dimensions associated to NiDs for OWF across their life cycle stages in Mediterranean to define assessment metrics.

• Provide a framework and a protocol to assess the effects of NiDs in the Mediterranean, with particular emphasis on (i) vulnerable and policy-relevant species and habitats in the frame of EU Directives (Birds and Habitats Directives) and international conventions for the protection of the flora and fauna, and (ii) marine protected areas (MPAs) (Natura 2000 sites and other types of MPAs). 

• Dissemination, exploitation, and communication activities: digital/social channels; website; Stakeholder engagement; Outreach activities

• Preparation of meetings with local stakeholders and EU partners of the project, including contribution to organize a project’s meeting in Barcelona.

Requirements

Professional experience

• Degree, Master or PhD in Biology, Environmental Sciences, Physics, Oceanography, Marine Science 

• Experience in the functions described or similar tasks will be an asset. 

• Advanced user of R-software (or similar) and Office. Advanced user of Mapping and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) will be an asset. 

• Experience in the marine science and offshore renewable energy will be an asset. 

Languages

• Fluent in English, Spanish and Catalan (both written and spoken)

Competences and IT skills

• Very good interpersonal communication, networking and team playing skills

• A well-organized person with attention to details.

• Proactive, flexible, and problem-solving attitude

• Analytical and critical thinking.

The offer

We are offering a contract with the following conditions:

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary will range between 31.000€ and 55.000€ commensurate with qualifications and experience of the candidate, and consistent with CSIC pay scales. 

• Working time: Full-time contract with flexible working hours and possibility of teleworking up to 2 days a week. Read more about work-life balance here.

• Target starting date: Between November 2024 and January 2025

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. 

Recruitment at ICM is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms.