Postdoctoral Researcher

Reference Number: PCI2026-177454-1

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No

Offer Description

PI: Dr. Francisco Jaime Mir Calafat

Funding body: MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 European Union

Institution: Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) / University of the Balearic Islands (UIB)

Are you passionate about climate science, oceanography and artificial intelligence? We are seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to join the UHEAT project at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) on the breathtaking island of Majorca.

UHEAT is a joint European-Japanese research project looking into how ocean heat content influences marine heatwaves. It aims to develop AI-based approaches for predicting marine heatwaves and their impacts on key fish species.

The successful candidate will primarily work on developing a deep-learning system that combines ocean observations and climate data to predict marine heatwave probability.

It is a fantastic opportunity to take part in cutting-edge research with real-world impact, contributing to our understanding of how the ocean is responding to climate change and helping address impacts on fisheries and society.

Please visit the project website for more information.

What you'll be doing:

• Assembling and analysing data from a large set of simulated global coupled climate models
• Building a deep-learning model to predict the likelihood of marine heatwaves, integrating ocean heat content and transport, and sea surface temperature
• Training and refining the prediction model using the large simulation set alongside observations
• Publishing your research in leading international journals and presenting your findings at conferences

Why you should join us:

• You will be part of a highly interdisciplinary international project combining physical oceanography, climate science, artificial intelligence and fisheries science
• You will be working in a vibrant research setting at the UIB with close ties to IMEDEA and international partners in Germany and Japan
• You will get the chance to visit research partners in Japan and Germany for project meetings, collaboration and knowledge exchange, and build an international research network
• You will enhance your expertise in AI and climate prediction whilst addressing an important challenge linked to climate change and its impacts on marine ecosystems and fisheries

Where to apply

Website: https://ppi.uib.cat/inici/

Requirements

Research Field: Environmental science

Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications: A PhD in Ocean Science, Physics, Mathematics or a related field by the contract start date.

Specific Requirements

Key skills:

• Research: a solid ability to conduct and organise scientific research
• Programming: familiarity with scientific programming and data analysis (e.g. Python, Matlab or similar)
• Data analysis: experience handling and analysing large or complex scientific datasets
• Writing: an ability to communicate research findings clearly
• Communication: confidence discussing ideas and sharing results with others.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: English skills would be a plus.

Preferred experience:

• Working with climate or oceanographic data, such as observations, reanalysis products or outputs from global coupled climate models
• Spatiotemporal data analysis or spatial statistics
• Familiarity with machine learning or deep learning methods
• An interest in ocean and climate dynamics.

Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4

Additional Information

Benefits

• Gross monthly salary: 3,000.00 €
• National Social Security Insurance (Public Health Insurance)

Planned end date of the tasks subject to the contract: Wednesday, January 10, 2029

Compensation may be higher where the successful candidate accredits recognised professional experience.

Eligibility criteria

• Curricular merits in the field (max. 40 points).
• Qualifications in the specialist area (max. 20 points), other (max. 5 points).
• Video curriculum and, if applicable, personal interview (max. 20 points).
• Experience in the field (max. 15 points). E.g.: > 3 years (10 points), < 3 years (5 points).
• Other merits (max. +5 points). E.g.: recommendation letters.

Eligibility threshold: 60 points.

Candidates who hold the qualification corresponding to the required category in the job offer with a non-EU degree, if selected, must present a certificate of equivalence of their non-EU qualification to a European qualification, or proof of having applied for this equivalence, in order to proceed with their hiring.

Selection process

In accordance with article 8 of the REGULATORY AGREEMENT 145140 of 15th June 2022 that approves the regulation governing the recruitment of research staff under chapter 6 allocation of the university budget, as well as technical or operational research staff.

Selection committee:

1. The relevant Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research (or person s/he delegates), as chair.
2. The supervisor (or person s/he delegates).
3. The members of the Research Area Assessment Committee (CARAI).
4. One or more expert members in the topic pertaining to the recruitment and chosen by the chair of the committee, where applicable.
5. The head of FORHU (or delegated representative), acting as secretary, who may speak but not vote.

Additional comments

Although we believe on-site working is valuable for both candidates and the organisation, we are happy to discuss flexible arrangements, including partial WFH.

Projecte PCI2026-177454-1 finançat per MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 i Cofinançat per la Unió Europea

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Universitat de les Illes Balears / University of the Balearic Islands

Country: Spain

Contact

State/Province: Illes Balears

City: Palma

Website: https://www.uib.eu/

Street: Cra. de Valldemossa Km 7,5

Postal Code: 07122

E-Mail: forhu.contractacio@uib.es