Project researcher position in conservation biology – 12 months - Managing protected areas to facilitate avian responses to climate change

Introduction

The University of Turku is an inspiring and international academic community of 25,000 students and staff in Southwest Finland. We build a sustainable future with multidisciplinary research, education, and collaboration. With us, your work will have a significant impact and relevance in the changing world.

Project

The position is part of the international project “Scenarios for Protecting European Avian Redistributions" (SPEAR), with funding from Biodiversa+ and the Finnish Ministry of the Environment. The project is carried out in collaboration with several other European countries. The aim of the SPEAR project is to identify priorities for biodiversity protection areas and gaps in area networks to better manage protected areas for multiple benefits. The project consists of three integrated work packages of which the project researcher at the University of Turku investigates strategies to facilitate bird responses to climate change in Europe.

Job description

The project aims at collecting evidence for climate change adaptation strategies already implemented inside the Natura 2000 network. The project researcher will be in charge of a pan-EU survey of current management actions implemented to mitigate the impact of climate change on birds, in collaboration with the European Land Conservation Network Eurosite (Netherlands). The survey will consist of structured questionnaire with defined and open-ended questions for conservation practitioners. Specifically, surveys will gather information on i) the management actions (i.e. adaptation interventions) implemented or planned inside protected areas to assist birds to cope with climate change, ii) the technical and financial resources required to provide climate change adaptation, and iii) the main priorities and threats identified at local and landscape scale regarding climate change adaptation. The information collected will be used to establish a comprehensive dataset identifying how site managers anticipate the future impact of climate warming on birds at EU scale.

Qualifications

Essential qualifications for this position are: (1) MSc degree in a field of relevance to the above-outlines duties including (but not limited to) Biology (Ecology), Agriculture and Forestry, Environmental Science, Conservation Science or related field. We also welcome applicants with a MSc degree in social science, communication or economics provided their degree studies are of relevance to the project duties; (2) strong motivation to work in conservation biology; (3) strong communication skills, with abilities to speak and write in English.

Desirable qualifications

Desired qualifications include technical skills in one or more of the following areas: (1) Handling large databases; (2) ornithology and/or protected area; (3) ability to understand multiple European languages; (4) documented experience in conducting surveys. We are looking for a candidate with a clear capacity to self-organize, and a communicative personality who works team-oriented.

We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants, regardless of background, to apply for our open positions.

We offer

The duration of the position is 12 months.

Salaries

The salary for the position is determined in accordance with the university salary system for research personnel. For project researcher salary follows the levels 2-4 of teaching and research staff (2108,40 – 2628,85 EUR/month). In addition, a personal work performance component will be paid. The personal work performance component is 6-50% of the task specific salary component. The starting salary is ca. 2400€.

Trial period

The trial period will be four months.

How to apply

Applications must include a motivation letter in English describing your motivation, research interests and previous relevant experience with respect to the above listed requirements; Curriculum vitae including contacts of two referents; copies of MSc/BSc Diploma certificates.

The application should be submitted no later than Tuesday 11.4.2023 (23:59; UTC+2) at the University's electronic recruitment system at https://www.utu.fi/en/university/come-work-with-us/open-vacancies.  A link to the application form can be found at the beginning of this notice (‘Apply for the job’).

Further information

For further information about the position, please contact Dr. Elie Gaget (elie.gaget@utu.fi).