Call for the provision of full-time expert services in the field of Posidonia oceanica meadow study, for a maximum duration of 4 months, within the ambit of the Interreg Italia-Malta 2014-2020 SenHAR project.
- Applications are invited for an external expert to work on SenHAR (Campagne di sensibilizzazione per un’armonizzazione Italo-Maltese per un buono stato dell’ambiente), a project financed by the InterregV-A Programme in which the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta is a partner with Universita’ degli Studi di Palermo.
- The research topic will be related with the exploration and the settling of a monitoring program of a Posidonia oceanica meadow in proximity of a thermal effluent discharge at the Ħofra ż-Żgħira embayment along the south-east extremity of the island of Malta, which is perpetually subjected to water temperatures considerably (7-8 degrees Centigrade) higher than ambient ones. This site has the potential to become an open laboratory in the (i) assessment of impacts of the thermal plume on benthic assemblages and in the (ii) fostering of a higher degree of awareness within stakeholders on such impacts through an educational campaign.
- The awardee will be required to: (i) Undertake a preliminary study of the environment object of this call and select nearby control sites (ii) characterize the sites in terms of benthic assemblages present on site (iii) design a multi-seasonal monitoring program (iv) coordinate the collection of citizen science data by identified marine stakeholders through the deployment of project (HOBO) temperature loggers by assisting in the related service procurement process (v) condense the knowledge and outputs from the Harmony project which are relevant to the conduction of the SenHAR project and (vi) assist Prof. Alan Deidun in the formulation and compilation of drafts of documents destined for SenHAR project reporting purposes and of scientific manuscripts destined for eventual journal publication.
- The awardee will work mostly at the laboratory facilities of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Malta (Msida, Malta).
- The ideal candidate needs to have at least a first degree in Biology or a related discipline, as well as a post doc (e.g. Masters or PhD level) degree in a field relevant to marine biology. The same candidate needs to be in possession of at least a PADI Advanced certificate in SCUBA diving and needs to be willing to dive on a weekly basis at water depths not exceeding 20m.
- A demonstrated capacity to work both independently and in a team in a lab setting as well as previous experience in sampling activities within Posidonia oceanica meadows (sheath sampling, fish assemblage visual census, associated macrofauna sampling and identification) and other protected infralittoral and circalittoral habitats (e.g. vermetid reefs, maerl beds) will be considered an asset. Additionally, a previous participation in EU-funded research projects, especially Interreg Italia-Malta 2014-2020 ones, will be considered positively.
- Expenses linked to the commissioning of boat-support services and SCUBA diving tanks will be borne by the University of Malta, although the selected candidate needs to be in possession of his/her own SCUBA diving gear (tank excluded).
- The engagement will last for a maximum of four (4) months from receipt of appointment letter, preferably commencing in early 2022, with the selected candidate expected to invest a minimum of 40 logged hours per week over the same period (4 months). The candidate needs to log the hours spent within the University of Malta’s laboratories on a monthly basis within time-sheet templates provided by the University of Malta. Payment will be transferred by the University of Malta on a monthly basis following the provision of monthly timesheets by the selected candidate.
- Total remuneration for the engagement is that of EUR 10,000, exclusive of 18% VAT.
To apply send an email to administrator-geo.sci@um.edu.mt.
Application deadline: Monday 1 November 2021
Application deadline: Monday 1 November 2021