Belgian Biodiversity Platform: coordination of the Alien Alert project vacancy, Belgium

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Vacant position within the Belgian Biodiversity Platform: coordination of the Alien Alert project

 

The Belgian Biodiversity Platform is seeking to hire a scientist to coordinate the activities of the Alien Alert project: horizon scanning for new pests and invasive species in Belgium and neighbouring areas.

 

The Alien Alert project is aiming to develop, calibrate and validate an integrated quick screening tool to identify the most harmful non-native organisms that may be introduced in Belgium and neighbouring areas in the coming years. This will be done in expanding the existing ISEIA protocol (see http://ias.biodiversity.be) to integrate the different kinds of impacts that may be caused by non-native organisms (including plant, animal and human health issues) and to assess adequately their establishment potential at the European, Benelux and Belgian scales.

 

The person hired for this position will be in charge of coordinating the activities of the Alien Alert network made of several scientific institutions in Belgium (Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Research Department for Nature and Agriculture (Walloon Region), Avia-GIS, Institute of Public Health, Veterinary and Agrochemical Research Centre, the Walloon Agricultural Research Centre and the University of Brussels (ULB-VUB). (S)he will specifically :

  • Review the environmental impact assessment methods for non-native organisms,
  • Integrate the data and results provided by the different project partners,
  • Be in charge of the protocol development,
  • Assist with the organisation of networking activities and workshop(s),
  • Coordinate the preparation of data sheets for a sample of 16 non-native species,
  • Organise the risk assessment of those species by different expert panels,
  • Be in charge of the preparation of project reports.

 

She/he will work under the supervision of the Belgian Biodiversity Platform’s scientific coordinator and the Platform’s expert on IAS and promoter within the Research Department for Nature and Agriculture in Gembloux.

We seek a colleague with the following profile and qualifications :

  • Hold a university degree (PhD or equivalent (MSc with experience in research as demonstrated by international scientific publications)) in sciences related to environmental issues. Having some experience in risk assessment is an asset. Experience with biological invasion research is welcome;
  • Having excellent networking and communication skills in an international scientific context is absolutely required; an excellent knowledge of English and French or Dutch is an important asset;
  • Being enthusiastic and having an outstanding ability to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural professional environment are required.

 

The position is a short-term contractual position of 12 months, 4/5, to start immediately, based at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences in Brussels, but in close collaboration with the Research Department for Nature and Agriculture in Gembloux, which is in charge of the overall coordination and execution of the Alien Alert project . We offer a salary and conditions according to the conditions applicable at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences for a contractual agent of class SW1 of the scientific career.

 

For more information you can contact by email: h.segers@biodiversity.be (contractual issues), S.Vanderhoeven@biodiversity.be or etienne.branquart@spw.wallonie.be (contents of the job)

 

If you wish to apply for this position, send a cover letter and a CV (preferably in English, Dutch or French are permitted) to Aline van der Werf:

vdwe@belspo.be no later than September 15th 2012. Persons invited to the interview will be requested to bring a copy of their most recent diploma and a copy of their criminal records (FR: extrait de casier judiciaire, NL: Bewijs van goed gedrag en zeden).