1352 Postdoctoral position in marine ecological modelling

About the Position The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) offers a 3-year postdoctoral position as part of the MORSE (“Models supporting practical restoration of habitats and species in Europe’s seas”) research project funded by Horizon Europe. This project sits within IMR’s strategic initiative to build a strong center for marine research within one of Europe's largest marine research institutes. The candidate will ideally start in early 2027. We seek a postdoctoral researcher with a background in ecological modelling, with relevant experience and publication record on modelling marine and/or aquatic ecosystems. The postdoctoral researcher will work across several work packages, including WP5 (reviewing and compiling data on restoration pathways, pressures, and ecological needs of focal species and habitats, and defining favourable reference areas), WP6 (species distribution modelling and assessment of environmental status (NEAT), WP7 (modelling land-, and sea-based pressures, and MPAs), and WP8 (modelling ecosystem services). The broader aim of the project is to develop and demonstrate effective and climate-resilient restoration models for European marine ecosystems to inform more effective restoration efforts. The postdoctoral researcher will work with a team of researchers at IMR and collaborating partners to carry out and deliver research outcomes in the MORSE project. The MORSE project that the postdoctoral position is associated with is a 4-year project that is led by the Finnish Environmental Institute (SYKE) and includes institutions across seven European countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, UK, Spain, Portugal, and Greece). Travel to workshops and meetings in these countries should be anticipated. The postdoctoral researcher will gain mentoring support, training, and networking opportunities from the leading researchers associated with the MORSE project, and have the opportunity to establish connections and advance their research career over the course of the project. More information about MORSE can be found at the project website: https://morse-project.eu/ Knowledge about northern European marine ecosystems is an advantage, as the postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for modelling Norwegian marine ecosystems. The position is placed within the Benthic Communities research group and can be located at any of the IMR offices. Note that the IMR project lead (Karine Gagnon) is based at Flødevigen Research Station, but the research group includes members across all three locations. IMR has good links and cooperation with industry, management, and the university sector. We offer the opportunity to be part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and ambitious research group with strong national and international links. Main tasks: • Lead and support MORSE research activities as directed by project leaders. • Write research publications, reports, and grant proposals. • Participate in scientific conferences, science communication, and outreach activities. • Review and compile existing data on restoration pathways, ecosystem status, and pressures for focal species and habitats, and define favourable reference areas for these • Review and compile existing models and data sources for the Norwegian sea areas (including the Skagerrak, Norwegian Sea, North Sea, and Barents Sea) • Apply species distribution models and assess environmental status using the NEAT tool • Model land-based and sea-based pressures on marine habitats, and the role of MPAs • Model climate scenarios and ecosystem services • Participate in work package coordination and reporting • Maintain and curate datasets and coordinate data sharing and modelling efforts across MORSE partners. About the Research Group and Our Work The Benthic Communities group