Post-doc position in reef fish macro-ecology

*Background* This position is part of the GASPAR program and financed by the FRB (“Fondation pour la Recherche sur la Biodiversit?” — a French State Organization). The aim of GASPAR is the macro-ecological analysis of reef fish assemblages on a world-wide scale in order to understand their major functioning principles. The scientific program may be asked to M.Kulbicki (michel.kulbicki@ird.fr). This program is based on the principle of several meetings a year at the CESAB center (in France) during which the members of this program brainstorm on the questions and hypotheses in order to produce scientific information (mainly analytical and synthetic articles) and build a database which will be made freely available to the scientific community at the end of the program.

*Skills :* The candidate should be skilled in the following domains: (a) theoretical ecology or community ecology; (b) statistics; (c) databases; (d) GIS. Fluent English is required; French is not required but would be advantageous. The role will consist of: (1) organizing a database which will compile information on the diversity of reef fishes from a wide selection of sites across the world, on their life-history traits, and on environmental factors. These data will originate from the members of the program and from existing international databases; (2) preparation of the meetings in order to facilitate the writing of analytical and synthesis articles on the macro-ecology of reef fishes. This preparation entails statistical pre-analyses, maps and the compilation of important references; (3) participation in the coordination of the project, in particular by liaising between the partners of this program; (4) contribute to the writing of scientific articles issued from this work. The candidate will work with some of the best specialist in coral reef fish ecology. A number of high impact factor scientific articles are expected from this program, to which the candidate will be associated and in some instances be first author (depending on the degree of involvement). There should be also opportunities to attend international meetings and to meet renowned scientists in the field of reef ecology.

*Contract duration and salary* The post-doc will be based at the “Laboratoire Arago” in Banyuls/mer (France –http://www.obs-banyuls.fr/) and will be under the supervision of Michel Kulbicki, the person in charge of the GASPAR program. The contract is for 30 months and will start in July 2011. The net monthly pay will be around 1900 euros, this amount varying slightly according to the social security and welfare costs.

For any question regarding this position please contact Michel Kulbicki at: Tel. : within France : 04-30-19-24-17 from overseas : 33-4-30-19-24-17 e-mail.:michel.kulbicki@ird.fr IRD- UR227 — Laboratoire Arago – BP 44 66651- Banyuls /mer — France — Michel Kulbicki UR 227 – “CoReUs” IRD – Laboratoire Arago BP 44 – 66651- Banyuls /mer Tel.: (33)-(0)4-30-19-24-17 / Fax.: e-mail: michel.kulbicki@ird.fr (michel.kulbicki@univ-perp.fr is no longer valid)