(M/F) CDD resercher in Ecology - duration 24 months

Job Description

Missions

The Jura Mountains are unique in that they are home to the highest density of lynx in France, and are the only place where roe deer and chamois coexist in mid-mountain forests. Until recently, these environments were not the preferred habitats of these two species, with roe deer typically inhabiting lowland forests and chamois mainly inhabiting the supra-forest zones of the Alps. However, due to the increase in ungulate densities and their geographical expansion, combined with changes in habitats and animal behaviour linked to global changes (notably global warming and changes in agricultural practices), these two species are increasingly frequenting the mid-mountain forest ranges. In the current context, it is becoming necessary to study how the populations of these two species coexist, in a context of both hunting and natural predation, as these are conditions that a large proportion of the populations of these two ungulates are likely to encounter.
This is the aim of the ECOLEMM programme (Study of Hunting, Ungulates and Lynx in a Mid-Mountain Ecosystem), which ultimately seeks to predict how species respond to different sources of predation in the context of ongoing environmental changes, in order to better adapt monitoring tools and hunting quotas for the sustainable management of species and their habitats. To meet these objectives, the programme is divided into five main components:
1) Perceptions of the relationships between the Eurasian lynx, wild and domestic wildlife, and the inhabitants of the Jura Mountains
2) Spatial and temporal analysis of hunting pressure and lynx presence within the study area
3) Population dynamics of chamois and roe deer in a mid-mountain ecosystem: the influence of hunting pressure, lynx presence, climate and disease on the demography and behaviour of these species
4) Indirect consequences of hunting pressure and lynx presence on forest regeneration and plant diversity
5) Influence of the environmental context (habitat, predation, hunting) on the ungulate-environment system (ecological change indicators) and implications for population management.

The postdoctoral research will focus on components 3 and 4 of the research programme. Its objectives will be:
(1) To analyse demographic data (collected via capture-mark-recapture, indicators of ecological change and VHF collars) and spatial data (GPS collar monitoring, camera trap data) to understand the functioning of roe deer and chamois populations (dynamics, spatio-temporal distribution, behaviour) and the influence of predation pressure (from lynx and hunters) on these populations.
(2) Analyse vegetation data (floristic surveys, measurements of browsing and forest regeneration) to assess the effects of predator-prey interactions on forest regeneration and plant diversity.

Activity

Main tasks:
- Analysis of survival rates and reproductive success in both species (roe deer and chamois), and of the influence of ungulate population density, disease, predation risk (from lynx and hunters) and climate on demographic parameters.
- Analysis of the phenology of births in these two species and the influence of climate, forage resources and predation risk (by lynx and hunters) on these.
- Analysis of habitat use and selection by both species and the influence of the environment (climate, 'green-wave') and predation risk (by lynx and hunters) on these factors.
- Analysis of the activity patterns of the two species and the influence of the environment and predation risk (by lynx and hunters) on these patterns.
- Analysis of dispersal among young roe deer and identification of the determinants of this dispersal in relation to habitat and the presence of lynx.
- Analysis of the spatio-temporal variations in forest regeneration and plant diversity, and the influence of browsing pressure from chamois and roe deer
- Analysis of the relationship between these spatio-temporal variations and the behavioural responses of roe deer and chamois to predation (by lynx and hunters) – investigation of the existence of trophic cascades.

Your Profil

Skills

- Eight years of higher education in ecology.
- Knowledge of predator-prey interactions, population dynamics and vertebrate ecology (wild ungulates, large predators), and botany.
- Knowledge of and interest in wildlife and forest management.
- Experience in processing and analysing demographic data: Leslie matrix, multi-state model, integrated population model.
- Experience in processing and analysing GPS data.
- Experience in processing and analysing camera trap data.
- Statistical analysis skills.
- Skills in cartography (QGIS or ArcGIS).
- Although this is not a field-based role, it is important that the candidate has experience in wildlife monitoring and behavioural observations in the field to understand the nature of the data being processed.
- English (read, written, spoken).
- Use of R software.
- Writing of scientific articles.

Skills and personality:
- Dynamic and meticulous
- Ability to work independently (postdoctoral experience desirable)
- Ability to work in a team with local and remote partners
- Good interpersonal skills

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will be based at the Centre for Functional and Evolutionary Ecology (CEFE – UMR CNRS 5175) in Montpellier, and more specifically within the HAIR (Human-Animal Interactions) and MAD (Movement, Abundance, Distribution) teams of the DCB (Biodiversity Dynamics and Conservation) department. The successful candidate will be co-supervised by Cyril Milleret, Olivier Gimenez and Marion Valeix at the CEFE, and by Carole Toïgo, Sonia Saïd and Maryline Pellerin from the French Office for Biodiversity (OFB, Research and Scientific Support Directorate) in collaboration with the Jura and Ain Departmental Hunting Federations.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Gross monthly salary from 3071€ depending on years of experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions