Nazwa jednostki: Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu, Wydział Nauk Biologicznych i Weterynaryjnych, Katedra Ekologii i Biogeografii

Nazwa stanowiska: Post-doc position in project “Effect of global warming on interactions between alien and native ectothermic species of prey and predators” – principal investigator Łukasz Jermacz

Wymagania:

We require:

• D. in biology
• Strong publication record, including at least one first-author publication in a high quality journal
• Experience in ecology (obligatory)
• Experience in aquatic animal respirometry (not absolutely required, but will be a strong advantage)
• Experience in invertebrate physiology including biochemical measurements (not absolutely required, but will be a strong advantage)
• Expertise and competence in designing and carrying out scientific experiments and in interpreting their results
• Experience in writing manuscripts for publication, and fellowship or grant proposals
• Proactive approach to achieving objectives, good interpersonal skills, collaborative and adaptive attitude
• Very good organizational skills, especially project and time management skills
• Very good command of English (written and oral communication) and presentation skills

Opis zadań:

A postdoc position in the Hydrobiology Team at The Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Poland, to study how ongoing global warming affects interspecific interactions between native and invasive species of prey and predators. In a series of experiments, we are going to answer the key question: do large invasive ectothermic invertebrates deal with the increased temperature as effectively as their native counterparts in terms of their anti-predatory defences? As a model, we will use 4 amphipod prey species: native Gammarus jazdzewskii and Gammarus pulex; invasive Dikerogammarus villosus and Pontogammarus robustoides. As predators, we selected 3 fishes: native Cottus gobio; invasive Babka gymnotrachelus and ubiquitous Perca fluviatilis (familiar to all prey species). Interactions between the selected species will be tested in several temperature variants: under optimal and suboptimal temperature for each species, as well as under stable and fluctuating thermal conditions. In the first step of our project, we will determine optimal and suboptimal conditions for each species relying on their behavioural (activity) and physiological (standard metabolic rate, maximum metabolic rate and aerobic scope) responses. In the second step, we will conduct experiments focused on the effectiveness of fish feeding efficiency, fish growth rate, effects of chronic predation risk and costs of anti-predator defence reactions, under diverse thermal conditions. To determine consequences of interactions between predation risk, temperature changes and biological invasions, we will measure animal behaviour (activity, food acquisition), physiology (metabolic parameters, antioxidant defence and oxidative damage), as well as survival and growth. Achieving the project goals will greatly increase our knowledge about the effect of global warming on predator-prey interactions and the role of invasive species in the modification of community structure under climate change. Estimating the optimum temperature for native and invasive species and effectiveness of their defence reactions against diverse predators under optimal and suboptimal thermal conditions will help us determine prey and predatory species resistant or even promoted by climate change.

The selected candidate will be responsible for:

• animal collecting in the field
• conducting laboratory experiments on invertebrates and fish including interaction between animals at diverse temperature regimes
• data analysis
• reviewing the literature
• contributing to the writing of scientific articles;
• presenting project results at international conferences;
• participate in research activities and events organised within the project;
• If experienced post-doc will be responsible for respirometry and biochemical measurements (TBARS, TAS and TOS)

Typ konkursu NCN: SONATA – NZ
Termin składania ofert: 30 listopad 2021, 00:00
Forma składania ofert: email
Warunki zatrudnienia:

We offer:

• Full-time contract (“umowa o pracę”) for at least 12 months, with an intended extension depending on performance up to 24 months;
  Gross-gross monthly remuneration: 10000 PLN/month, net approx. 6000 PLN/month
• Work in a multidisciplinary, international team, in a very dynamic organization, with multiple opportunities for professional development, participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring

Dodatkowe informacje:

Required documents:

• scientific CV including your personal data, education, research experience,
• list of publications,
• PhD certificate,
• contact details for two people that can provide recommendations,
• Declaration of consent to the processing of personal data contained in the job offer for the needs of the recruitment process, in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of The Council of 27 April 2016 (L119/1) (form to be downloaded)
• Declaration under art. 113 ust. 1 ustawy Prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym (o niekaralności) (Art. Paragraph 113 (1) of the Higher Education Act (of no criminal record)) (form to be downloaded)
• Declaration that Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń will be my primary employer once I have won the contest (form to be downloaded)Forms to be downloaded: http://www.umk.pl/en/employment/forms/
• Documents should be sent to the following address: jermacz@umk.pl

Application deadline:

• offers will be accepted till November 30st, 2021; the shortlisted candidates will be interviewed
• planned start date: February 1th, 2021 (flexible).