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Project description

Ecosystem processes depend on the abundance of organisms with particular functional traits, notably up to landscape scale. As species positively or negatively interact into assemblages, the functional roles of biodiversity have to be investigated through the prism of networks of interactions. The objectives are i) to determine ecological functions of biodiversity from the soil aggregate (earthworm casts) to plot level in agricultural fields and ii) to assess the provision of five ecosystem goods and services by soil biodiversity. The postdoc will make a focus on the above/below ground relationships through the connection of trophic/engineering networks. The originality of the proposal is the translation in an operational way of the conceptual framework of the functional traits approach for soil biodiversity. This project will be done using a combination of in situ observations and experimentations, ex situ experimentations in controlled conditions, interview of the field owners and statistical analyses of results. The proposal is divided into 4 tasks:  (1) site selection, (2) soil functions measurement, (3) from functions to services and (4) valorization.  

Required qualifications

We are looking for a motivated and independently working postdoctoral scientist with interest in collaborative soil ecology research. Applicants should have a strong conceptual background on the functional ecology and should be autonomous in performing advanced statistical analyses (R software is preferred). Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory. A PhD in agroecology is required, preferentially with knowledge concerning soil invertebrate biology or ecology.

Conditions of appointment

The post-doc will be employed by the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) and located in the PESSAC lab at Versailles and will work in close collaboration with the "Agronomie" lab at Grignon, both close to Paris (France). The post-doctoral funding is granted for a period of 18 months (2 100 € per month).

Mode of application

To apply, please send an email (subject: Postdoc SOFIA) to Dr. Mickael Hedde, (mhedde@versailles.inra.fr) and to Dr Antoine Gardarin (Antoine.Gardarin@grignon.inra.fr) containing a pdf-file with your application, a detailed CV (including a brief description of research interests, previous employments, and publication list), reprints of your two most important published articles, and contact details of at least two references (letters of recommendation are optional). Application deadline is August 24^th, 2014.

Job will start October, 1^st 2014.