Work environment : The successful candidate will join a dynamic interdisciplinary research group working at the interface of ecology and evolution, epidemiology, and global change biology of vector-borne diseases. The position is based in Montpellier, a vibrant scientific hub in Southern France internationally recognized for excellence in ecology and evolutionary biology. Collaboration with Dr. Romain Bertrand and visits to the University of Toulouse are expected for ecological niche modelling and the development of the simRShift model for host-parasite interactions. The thematic line is embedded within the regional scientific interdisciplinary project InvaSnail, financed by the ExposUM initiative from the Montpellier University.
Researcher profile: The candidate should hold a PhD in Ecological modeling, Ecology, Biogeography, Epidemiology, Environmental Sciences, Geography, or a related quantitative discipline, demonstrated experience in ecological niche modelling and/or species distribution modelling, strong programming skills, experience with geospatial tools (e.g., GIS platforms) and with environmental and climate datasets, experience with modelling (e.g., MaxEnt, Boosted Regression Trees, Random Forest, Neural network), and with handling and processing large-ecological datasets, strong publication record appropriate to career stage, excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, autonomy, strong work ethic and team-playing.
Activities: To model the ecological niches of the local and invasive snails host and of the parasite, i.e. the adjustment of a model aiming to explain species occurrence with climatic (e.g. temperature, rainfall), environmental (e.g. hydrography, land use) and management/social (e.g. livestock movement, pastoralism) factors. To develop the simRShift model accounting for host-parasite interactions, to calibrate and validate the model by assessing the capacity of the model to reproduce the current fasciolosis distribution or to mimic its performance measured in laboratory experiments, to conduct simulation-based experiments to forecast the host parasite distribution in response to different environmental change scenarios (climate and land use changes scenarios mainly), to test the efficiency of a set of management actions aiming to control the expansion of the disease. To publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at international conferences and stakeholder meetings. To collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (ecologists, epidemiologists, parasitologists, and Mentor graduate and undergraduate students when appropriate. To contribute to project development including new research proposals and support grant writing.
Starting Date: 1 June 2026; Duration : 2 years-contract (Full-time)
How to Apply: Candidates must send a CV (up to 3 pages), a cover letter containing a clear explanation of why the advertised postdoctoral position aligns with their interests and professional trajectory, an honest assessment of personal strengths and weaknesses, and what they hope to gain from this position and how it will support their long-term development as a scientist, a PDF of a first-author publication (published or in press), and 3 references to annia.alba-menendez@umontpellier.fr before April 20th, 2026
Website Link : Recrutements – IHPE « Interactions Hôtes-Pathogènes-Environnements »
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