Research assistant – Ecology

About the Position

The Basque Centre for Climate Change (BC3) is looking for a motivated Research Assistant to support the research activities of Research Line (RL) 3 on Terrestrial Ecosystems in the context of the Ministry of Science and Innovation Ramon y Cajal grant (RYC2021-032351-I), led by Dr. Ainhoa Magrach.

About the Project

This job is part of a Ramón y Cajal grant, focused on plant–pollinator interactions, with particular attention to understanding the foraging behavior and ecological roles of wild bumblebees, especially Bombus pascuorum. The main aim is to analyze data on plant-animal interactions, pollinator behavior, and plant reproductive success and publish a scientific manuscript. The start date will be June 2025 with a duration of 4 months.

Responsibilities

• Data analysis of plant–animal interaction networks, including plant–pollinator visitation data, pollinator behavioral observations, and plant reproductive success metrics.
• Apply appropriate statistical models (e.g., GLMMs, multivariate analyses, network metrics) to interpret ecological patterns and test hypotheses related to species interactions and ecosystem functioning.
• Collaborate closely with the principal investigator and other team members to refine research questions, ensure data quality, and interpret results in the context of current ecological theory.
• Take a leading role in the preparation of a scientific manuscript, including writing, figure generation, and integration of feedback during the peer-review process.
• Conduct literature reviews to contextualize findings within the broader scientific discourse on pollinator ecology, plant reproduction, and global change impacts.
• Maintain detailed documentation of analytical procedures and contribute to the development of reproducible workflows.
• Participate in regular lab meetings and contribute to a dynamic, interdisciplinary research environment.

Requirements

• MSc in Ecology, Environmental Science, Biology, or a related field.
• Strong quantitative skills, with demonstrated experience in ecological data analysis using R (knowledge of packages for GLMMs, multivariate stats, or network analysis is a plus).
• Proven experience in scientific writing and manuscript preparation, ideally with at least one peer-reviewed publication.
• Solid understanding of plant–pollinator interactions, pollinator behavior, and/or plant reproductive ecology.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Attention to detail, problem-solving capacity, and a proactive attitude toward data interpretation and scientific synthesis.
• Familiarity with reproducible research practices (e.g., version control, documentation, RMarkdown) is an asset.

Nice to Have

• Experience working with ecological network data (e.g., bipartite networks, interaction matrices).
• Familiarity with pollinator taxonomy or the ability to identify common European wild bees, especially Bombus spp.
• Experience conducting or analyzing behavioral observations of pollinators in the field or lab.
• Background in plant reproductive ecology, including measures like seed set, fruit set, or pollen limitation.
• Knowledge of geospatial analysis (e.g., GIS, landscape metrics).
• Experience with open science practices, such as data sharing, preprints, or open peer review.
• Ability to integrate interdisciplinary approaches, including links between biodiversity, ecosystem services, and global change.
• Familiarity with scientific project management or previous roles supporting collaborative research projects.

We Offer

• Interdisciplinary and inspiring work environment.
• 35-hour week work calendar.
• 30 days of vacation per year.

Term of Contract

The position will be for a period of 4 months with no extension. The envisaged starting date is June 1st, 2025.

Salary

The position will carry a competitive salary, matching the academic and professional profile of the applicant, and excellent work conditions.

Location

Basque Centre for Climate Change, Leioa, Spain.

Important

Applications including links to previous works/projects/initiatives that show how the applicant meets these requirements will be given priority.

As an HR Excellence awarded institution, BC3 is committed to conciliating research-academic requirements and family duties. BC3 is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for people independently of gender, culture, and race. Anyone with relevant qualifications is therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position.

Application Procedure

Fill the form below and upload one PDF document with the following information:

1. 2-page CV
2. One-page motivation letter
3. Contact details of two referees

Deadline

May 13, 2025 (CET 15:00).

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof Ainhoa Magrach ([email protected]) noting in the subject of the message “Research Assistant Ecology”.

Please consider that only applications sent through the form included at the bottom of the BC3 web page will be considered (https://info.bc3research.org/job-offers/).

Ayuda RYC2021-032351-I financiada por MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 y por la Unión Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR