M/F Researcher in biogeographic modeling

Job Description

Missions

The ERC DISPERSAL project aims to study and model past mammal dispersals, using as a case study the dispersal of rodents and primates from Asia to South America—a transoceanic migration that occurred at the end of the Eocene, between 40 and 35 million years ago. We are recruiting a modeler specializing in ecosystems and/or macroevolutionary processes (speciation, extinction, dispersal) to reconstruct the evolution of continental ecosystems and their connectivity during this period. The goal is to better understand the timing and routes of this exceptional dispersal event.

Activity

The selected candidate will work on the evolution of continental dispersal corridors over time, using new climate simulations and paleogeographic maps, and will collaborate in tandem with a second modeler focusing on the crossing of marine barriers during this dispersal.
The position includes the following three missions:
Mission 1. You will reconstruct the landscapes, dominant ecosystems, and physiographic diversity using our new Eocene paleogeographic maps, based on outputs from climate simulations (IPSL-CM5A2 Earth system model) and the goSPL (Global Scalable Paleo Landscape Evolution) landscape model. You will then determine the potential dispersal ranges of primates and rodents during the Eocene, using simple hypotheses about their ecological niches.
Mission 2. You will identify all potential starting points for a maritime crossing by primates and rodents and compare your results with the marine dispersal routes proposed by your partner. You will then develop a series of dispersal scenarios combining terrestrial and maritime passages and assess their likelihood of success.
Mission 3. Additionally, you will apply the same approach to another major dispersal event: the migration of Asian mammals to Western Europe at the very end of the Eocene. The challenge, similar to the first case, is to better understand how and through which routes this dispersal occurred.

Your Profil

Skills

Expertise :
• The candidates must hold a PhD in geosciences.
• Experience in performing and analyzing experiments with a comprehensive earth system model, niche model, or biogeographic model.
• Familiarity with coding and running computer models, very good programming skills in Fortran, Python or equivalent and scripting;
• Proficiency in English (level B2–C1), both spoken and written.
Soft skills :
• Creativity, initiative, and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently and coordinate efforts in an international environment
• Precision and attention to detail
• Strong interpersonal skills and ease in professional interactions with researchers and other staff members
• Thoroughness and strong organizational abilities
• Enjoyment of teamwork and collaboration with partners and networks
• Responsiveness

Your Work Environment

The successful candidate will be part of the ERC DISPERSAL research group led by Alexis Licht and the Climate team at CEREGE. The modeling group of the Climate Team, led by Yannick Donnadieu, performs and analyzes Earth System model simulations covering various time slices across the Meso-Cenozoic with an interactively coupled atmosphere-ocean-vegetation-biogeochemistry model.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,131.32 gross and €4,341.70 gross depending on 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