Postdoctoral position in eco-evolutionary modelling (24 months)

Summary :

A 24 months position is available in the fields of eco-evolutionary modelling of aquatic species. The objective is to propose a projection of fish responses to climate change and related extreme events (heat waves and associated hypoxic events) from the individual to the population scale and from the physiological to the evolutionary level.

This project is part of the ANR FishNess project (Fish robustNess: a key element of population vulnerability and sustainable aquaculture) involving teams from DECOD and MARBEC, two major French laboratories in aquatic ecology. We seek a specialist in modelling in the fields of bioenergetics (e.g. Dynamic Energy Budget model - DEB) and/or fisheries science and/or (evolutionary) ecology with good theoretical and programming skills.

Knowledge in ecophysiology and/or quantitative genetics and/or marine ecology would be appreciated but is not mandatory.

Context :

Intraspecific diversity is a neglected aspect of biodiversity, although it has been shown to play a key role in supporting essential ecological functions (Des Roches et al., 2018). Considered as the “hidden facet of biodiversity”, there is a need to better describe how anthropogenic pressures will impact intra-specific variability including in marine species. FishNess investigates the hypothesis that individual robustness to environmental conditions is a key determinant of the vulnerability of wild fish populations to global change and fishing, and of the long-term sustainability of fish farming.

The project has successfully started in early 2022 with the production of different European sea bass populations reared in various thermic conditions in the Ifremer Palavas-Les-Flots experimental facilities. Each population is periodically monitored for individual growth and response to fasting events and genotyped (Griot et al., 2021).

This will produce a unique and unprecedented dataset allowing for the precise quantification of the intra-specific variability of resources allocations, and associated genetic components. In addition, capacities to cope with extreme climate-related challenges will be explored for a subset of individuals in each condition. Intra- and inter-population covariance between resource allocation and coping abilities will also be investigated.

Finally, all available information on this variability will be incorporated in an eco-evolutionary population model in order to assess the long-term vulnerability of fish populations to global change, as well as the sustainability of human activities they support.

Description of the position :

The researcher will investigate the inter-individual variability in a bioenergetic DEB model parameterized for every individual considered, using all information available at the individual level (body mass, length, fasting response, gonads’ weight, oxygen consumption, etc…).

Local adaptation of each population to each thermic condition will be evaluated as well as its genetic determinants. The postdoctoral researcher will then use the model parameterized for each individual to simulate their responses to extreme events (heat-waves and hypoxia), and categorize them in terms of robustness. The limited capacities of the DEB model to correctly account for effects related to heat-waves and hypoxic events will be highlighted.

The postdoctoral researcher will investigate the possibility of developing an updated DEB-model accounting for these and parameterized for future projects. Finally, he/she will upscale the individual DEB model to the population level and multiple generations, to project the eco-evolutionary dynamics of populations under anthropogenic pressures.

The postdoctoral researcher will write publications in international scientific journals. She/he will communicate her/his results with partners of the FishNess project and will apply for oral communications in international conferences.

Working environment :

The postdoctoral researcher will be in close interaction with 3 researchers (Bruno Ernande, Olivier Maury and Bastien Sadoul) having extensive background in fish bioenergetic and eco-evolutionary modelling from the individual to the population level(e.g. Marty et al., 2015; Sadoul et al., 2019, 2020, 2021; Maury et al., 2019; Maury and Poggiale,2013).

The position is located at DECOD in Rennes, France or at MARBEC in Montpellier, France,but travelling expenses are available to organize multiple stays in Montpellier or Rennes for visiting partners of the project, and participating to International Conferences.

Within DECOD or MARBEC, the successful candidate will be in close interaction with world recognized researchers in aquatic ecology, and conservation, fisheries sciences and ecosystem modelling.

Duration and salary:

The successful applicant will be hired by L’Institut Agro in late 2023 (ideally in December) for a period of 12 months with secured funding available for 1 extensions of 12 months, for a total of 24 months.

An additional extension of 4 months might be possible depending on the start of the contract. Gross monthly salary will depend on the experience and should vary between 2600 and 3000€.

By joining L’Institut Agro, he/she will benefit from 45 days annual leave or equivalent, parenting support (can apply for specific daycare spots) and sponsored collective catering in Rennes.

Training and skills required:

A doctoral degree is preferable with an expertise in modelling in some of the following fields: bioenergetics, quantitative ecology, fisheries sciences and/or evolutionary ecology or a related field.

A strong interest in theoretical ecology/biology is necessary and programming skills are a prerequisite.

Knowledge in ecophysiology and/or quantitative genetics and/or marine ecology would be an asset but is not mandatory

HOW TO APPLY ?

Send before the 30th of September 2023 a motivation letter and a CV to :

Bastien SADOUL bastien.sadoul@institut-agro.fr and Bruno ERNANDE bruno.ernande@ifremer.fr and Olivier MAURY olivier.maury@ird.fr