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 looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate to undertake a PhD thesis within the project ALLIES – Remaining Urban Wildlife: Synanthropic Species as Sentinels of Ecosystem Health.
Urban ecosystems face growing pressures from pollution, climate change, and human activity, yet they remain underrepresented in ecological monitoring frameworks. The ALLIES project aims to explore how synanthropic wildlife—species that thrive in close proximity to humans—can serve as indicators of ecosystem health in cities, adopting a One Health perspective.
By tracking urban gulls with GPS devices and analyzing biological samples, the project will reveal spatial and temporal patterns of pathogens and pollutants circulating in urban landscapes. This interdisciplinary research, conducted in collaboration between the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC), the Public Health Agency of Barcelona (ASPB), and ISGlobal, integrates ecological, environmental, and public health data to develop adaptive risk maps and early warning systems.
The PhD candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to advancing ecological knowledge and methodological innovation in urban ecosystem monitoring, with the possibility to focus on either the pathogen or contaminant track. The research will strengthen the integration of environmental, animal, and human health monitoring in highly anthropogenic environments.
The thesis will be supervised by Dr. Joan Navarro and Dr. Víctor Martín-Vélez, and conducted at the Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona.
Job description
The successful candidate will be involved in several tasks that include:
- GPS-tracking database management
- Biological sample collection and laboratory analyses
- Spatial modelling of pathogen/contaminant circulation
- Development of adaptive resource-based risk maps
- Scientific writing manuscript
- Congress attendance and scientific communication
Expected background and skills
- Bachelor's and Master's degree in ecology, biology, veterinary sciences, environmental sciences, microbiology, or related disciplines.
- A strong interest in One Health approaches, urban ecology and animal ecology.
- Skills in data analysis, GIS, R programming, or laboratory techniques (a plus).
- Previous experience with ecological modelling tools or environmental data analysis is a plus.
- Proficiency in English (Spanish or Catalan is helpful but not required).
The offer
- 4-year predoctoral contract (conditions according to FPI or similar call).
- Expected start date: first semester of 2026.
- Stimulating and multidisciplinary work environment with access to training and professional development support.
- Opportunities to participate in international stays.
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
Interested candidates should send no later than November 7th to joan@icm.csic.es and victormartin@icm.csic.es:
- CV
- Motivation letter
-Official academic transcript from Bachelor's degree
Candidatures will be reviewed upon reception and shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. The selected candidate will be managed through the Bolsa de Trabajo CSIC, which requires an equivalence request for degrees obtained abroad.