The University of Navarra (UNAV) is a non-profit private university founded in 1952 in Pamplona, Spain. It confers 37 official degrees (14 are double degree) and administers 43 master’s programs, including 19 doctoral programs, through 16 faculties and Schools, 2 superior colleges, the IESE Business School and its 5 comprehensive Research Centres: CCUN (Cancer Centre Clínica Universidad de Navarra), BIOMA (Biodiversity and Environment Institute) and DATAI (Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence), ICS (INSTITUTE FOR CULTURE AND SOCIETY and CIN (Centre for Nutrition Research).

UNAV has more than 14,000 students in 7 campuses: Pamplona, San Sebastian, Madrid, Barcelona, New York, Munich and, Saö Paulo with a wide network of international universities and research centres.

UNAV has a sound track record in participating in European Research Programs. The university has participated in 241 European projects from FP4 to Horizon Europe, including LIFE, ERASMUS+ and INTERREG Programs; of which 28 projects (11,6%) were coordinated by the university. The University also counts with a thorough experience in MSCA and ERC grants with over 31 signed grants. 5 MSCA in the 2024 call.

UNAV is awarded with the HR Excellence in Research quality seal (HRS4R) that guarantees the implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. 

The University of Navarra will provide training to the fellow in proposal preparation, including individual info sessions to explain the call and address any questions.

Hosting Group

Rafael  Miranda is the coordinator of the biodiversity and natural wealth area of the Biodiversity and Environment Institute (BIOMA) and a member of the Biodiversity Data Analytics and Environmental Quality group (BEQ). This group has extensive research experience with Iberian freshwater fishes and river ecology, as shown by previous projects focused on these species and ecosystems. The group deals with biodiversity data management [1,2], management of aquatic non-native species [3,4], river connectivity [5,6], and fish biogeography [7], among other related subjects. Regarding the use of biodiversity data for conservation actions, we research communication gaps in knowledge and the implications for conservation [8-10] related to the management of protected areas [11] and the assessment of conservation status [11-13]. Our last research projects (LIFE INVASAQUA LIFE17GIE/ES/000515 and ConnecttFish) have focused on the effects of hydrological alteration and dams, global change, and non-native species on Iberian freshwater fishes. Researchers of the group have 25 years of experience in the study of biodiversity and conservation of freshwater fish, conducting biodiversity data analyses at multiple scales, from global to local. 

[1] Rodeles et al 2016 Sci Data 3 160091, [2] Escribano et al 2016 Sci Data 3 1-8, [3] Oficialdegui et al 2023 Sci Total Environ 869 161798, [4] Vedia et al 2017 Marine and Freshwater Research 68: 900-908, [5] Rodeles et al 2020 Ecol Indic 117 106605 [6] Rodeles et al 2021 Ecol Indic 25 107557 [7] Miqueleiz et al 2024 Ecol Informatics 81 102629, [8] Pino del Carpio et al 2011 J Fish Biol 79 1563-1591 [9] Pino del Carpio et al 2014 Biodivers Conserv 23 2239-2258 [10] Pino-del-Carpio et al 2014 Biol Conserv 173 74-79 [11] Miqueleiz et al 2020 Aquat Conserv Mar Freshwater Ecosyst 30 225-236, [12] Miqueleiz et al 2022 Hydrobiologia 849 1339–1349 [13] Miranda et al 2022 Hydrobiologia 849: 4569-4585 

Research offer

We are looking for an enthusiastic scientific researcher interested in freshwater conservation biology. Our current research aims to assess how the main threats to fish affect native species and to provide optimal approaches for adaptive management involving multiple actors in decision-making. The study of all these factors will facilitate the detection of freshwater hotspots, the most significant areas, due to the importance of their fish populations and the severity of their threats. 

The proposal allowed for prioritising the territory, considering social and ecosystem services and fish biodiversity hotspots, and finally, developing future projections of the evolution of freshwater fish under different climate change scenarios. The candidate finally plans to develop an awareness-raising and communication campaign to change human behaviour and achieve these biodiversity targets. In conclusion, the main aim of this proposal is to create a practical approach that enables the management of these ecosystems, considering ecological sciences, social perception, technological data capacities, awareness and public communication in a comprehensive approach.

Key words

Freshwater fishes, river connectivity, droughts, river pollution, invasive alien species, spatial and temporal analysis, social perception, freshwater hotspots, awareness and communication, open research.

Research Field

Fish biodiversity knowledge for management and conservation.

REQUIREMENTS OF THE CANDIDATE

Main research field

Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation.

Language

English (optional Spanish).

Eligibility

No more than 8 years of full research work since the date of PhD defence at date 2025 September 10.

The candidate must not have lived or worked in Spain more than 12 months in the last 36 months calculating from 2025 September 10.

Applications: documents to be submitted and deadlines

CV and letter of motivation.