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This job offer was closed at 2022-05-25

BC3 - Basque Centre for Climate Change

Postdoctoral Researcher in Ecological Modeling

Research Field: Environmental science 
Sub Research Field:  

Job Summary

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) offers a full-time postdoctoral scientist position in order to support the research activities of Research Line (RL) 5 on Integrated Modelling of Coupled Human-Natural Systems, and specifically work on the international project OBServ.

The RL generates multidisciplinary scientific knowledge from human-nature interdependence to address complex sustainability problems through artificial intelligence (AI). The goal of the RL is to provide environmental data, models and understanding by retrieving, evaluating and integrating the existing information in order to support an effective policy-making where nature counts. Besides Ecosystem Services, the RL also tackles Natural Capital Accounting, Food Security, Marine Spatial Planning, and Renewable Energy.

Job Description

During the past decade, the RL has envisioned and built the ARIES (ARtificial Intelligence for Environment and Sustainability) platform, a technology that integrates network-available data and model components through semantics and machine reasoning.

Its underlying open-source software (k.LAB) handles the full end-to-end process of integrating data and with multiple model integration types to predict complex change. It also supports selection of the most appropriate data and models using cloud technology and following an open data paradigm: the resulting insight remains open and available to society at large, and becomes a base for further computations, contributing to an ever-increasing knowledge base. For the first time, it is possible to consistently characterize and publish data and models for their integration in predictive models, building and field-testing technologies that have eluded researchers to date.

The OBServ project focuses on building predictive models of pollinator biodiversity and ecosystem function delivery using both data-driven and mechanistic models.

We are looking for an individual who can support strategic activities related to integrated data science and collaborative, integrated modelling on the semantic web (semantic meta-modelling).

Job description: Contribute to the ARIES (ARtificial Intelligence for Environment and Sustainability) platform, a semantic web infrastructure that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to build computational solutions to environmental, policy and sustainability problems. This technology, based on machine reasoning, machine learning, distributed computing and high-performance, multi-disciplinary and multi-paradigm system modelling, is the flagship product of the Integrated Modelling Partnership (IMP) which is expected to serve a growing number of worldwide users (from academia, governments, NGOs and industry) in the years to come.

ARIES’ current model resources largely focus on ecosystem services, using diverse modeling paradigms including machine learning and deductive models. The modeler will work as part of a team to develop and test new models that expand the breadth of ARIES’ model library, including ecosystem services and other environmental models at scales from local to global. Data-driven models built with a variety of machine learning classifiers have been applied so far to land cover change modelling, biodiversity modelling (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212041617306423), water quality modelling and pollination modelling. The candidate will work to expand the use of ML libraries (e.g., Weka) and applications beyond the state of the art.

The position may require international travel on an as-needed basis.

Key responsibilities:

Collaborate in building, evaluating and delivering integrated models within the ARIES platform. The OBServ project focuses on pollination as a central piece for the modelling and simulation of agri-systems and biodiversity, but the position will entail multi-disciplinary applications;
Collaborate in building, evaluating and delivering complexity-oriented models of coupled human-environmental systems;
Integrate such models and their results within a holistic, integrated trade-off assessment framework for decision- and policy-making;
Main requirements:

The applicant must have a degree in computer science, ecology, geography, engineering, or other fields of relevance to ecoinformatics. A very strong background in computational modelling is required, along with programming skills (any language and in particular Python, Java, R and Julia).
Familiarity with any of the following methods is an asset: agent-based modelling, network analysis, Bayesian network modelling, system dynamics. Being initiated to ontologies, artificial intelligence, and machine reasoning is desirable. Familiarity with any of the following technologies is an asset: Git, GeoServer, Linux, RESTful web services, openCPU, JSON.
The applicant must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent written and oral command of English is required. An ability to work in teams and experience in the use of collaborative software platforms and distributed version control systems are necessary.
Applications including previous modelling works and their documentation in an online repository will be given priority.

Benefits

As a HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliate research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equality opportunities for people. Women with relevant qualifications are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Comment/web site for additional job details

https://info.bc3research.org/2022/05/12/postdoctoral-researcher-in-ecological-modeling/

FP7 / PEOPLE / Marie Curie Actions

Research Framework Programme/
Marie Curie Actions
No 
SESAM Agreement Number  

Job Details

Type of Contract Temporary 
Status Full-time 
Hours Per Week 35h  
Company/Institute Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) 
Country SPAIN 
State/Province Bizkaia 
City Leioa 

Organization/Institute Contact Data

Organization BC3 - Basque Centre for Climate Change 
Organization/Institution Type Research Laboratory 
Faculty/Department/Research Lab  
Country SPAIN 
City Leioa 
State/Province  
Postal Code E-48940 
Street Parque Científico de la UPV - Bº Sarriena, s/n - Edificio Sede, 1-planta 1ª 
E-Mail hr@bc3research.org 
Website http://www.bc3research.org/ 
Phone +34 944 014 690 
Mobile Phone  
Fax  

Application Details

Envisaged Job Starting Date 2022-05-12 
Application Deadline 2022-05-25 
How To Apply http://www.bc3research.org/