This page supplies information about the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) hub of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA). The LAC hub is one of the regional branches of GMBA whose role is to create a close-knit inter- and transdisciplinary community of researchers who study various aspects of biodiversity in the mountains of LAC.
Post-doctoral Research Fellow position
South American Synthesis Initiative for Tropical Mountain Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services - TROMBIOS
Background
The TROMBIOS project is an international collaboration between researchers and experts from Brazil, the Andean countries, as well as Switzerland, Germany and Australia with the objective to synthesize current knowledge about mountain biodiversity and related ecosystem services in the tropical mountains of South America. We seek to appoint an experienced post-doctoral research fellow (PDRF) with a keen interest in mountain biodiversity to coordinate the project. The appointment is for three years, tenable at the University of Campinas, Brazil and involves a close collaboration with scientists of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment and the Andean Network of Socio-ecological Observatories.
Your tasks
- coordinate the activities of the continental-scale synthesis
- liaise with participating principal researchers (PR) and with regional synthesis groups
- organise the compilation and quality control of the regional datasets for the project data and knowledge base
- create analytical workflows
- lead scientific publications
- contribute to developing / teaching relevant course material (light load)
Your profile
- solid background and an established track record in mountain biodiversity and ecosystem services research
- database development and management skills
- excellent data analytical skills across a broad domain (statistics, remote sensing data products, GIS, environmental modelling)
- project coordination skills
- excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and an ability to effectively communicate in Portuguese / Spanish
What we offer
- three-year post-doctoral appointment (FAPESP scale remuneration – currently at R$12,570 p.m., non-taxable), tenable in the Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Brazil. The University is regularly ranked among the top three universities of South America.
- short stays at participating PRs’ institutions
- work under the direction of PI Nagy, in close collaboration with all participating PRs
- frequent exchange with collaborators via regular e-meetings, workshops, and occasional visits
- an excellent platform for producing high-impact publications and becoming a leading figure in mountain biodiversity synthesis science
How to apply and what to include in your application:
Please send the documents listed below as a single pdf file by email to Davnah Urbach gmba.ips@unibe.ch
- Curriculum vitae: a 2-page CV, without publications.
- Publication list: a complete list of all publications. Please do not include publications that are in review or in submission.
- Cover letter (max. 2 pages): Please state why you are interested in this position, and how it fits with your career goals. Please state how you see your personal contribution to advancing mountain biodiversity synthesis science (we are interested in your own original ideas).
- Supporting statements (max. 2 pages): Please provide a supporting statement for each point listed under ‘Your profile’ with evidence of your experience and expertise.
- Referees: Please include contact information for at least two referees.
Further enquiries: Informal enquiries regarding the scope of the research and working arrangements in Brazil are welcome to Laszlo Nagy lnagy@unicamp.br
We anticipate that shortlisting will happen by 7 January 2026, with online interviews by a panel of project PIs in mid January 2026. The successful candidate will start on 01 March 2026.
The TROMBIOS project
Background: Mountains concentrate biodiversity and provide important ecosystem services for much of the lowland population in the tropical mountain regions of South America. However, no synthesis effort has been undertaken so far to identify the geographic, taxonomic, and thematic knowledge gaps that are required to effectively safeguard / manage South American tropical mountain ecosystems and their biodiversity. A systematic synthesis is required to detect spatio-temporal trends and patterns in tropical mountain biodiversity to help the formulation of effective environmental policies and a coordinated design and implementation of ecosystem management strategies. The TROMBIOS project will address this gap by (i) assembling, analysing, and synthesising data and knowledge on tropical mountain biodiversity and social-ecological systems, and (ii) the use of existing data and knowledge to develop models and scenarios for the future of biodiversity and ecosystem services according to different management strategies.
Aims: The project will answer the following questions: (a) What is the status of knowledge and data on mountain biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services in Brazil and South America and what critical gaps exist for management planning and implementation, in particular in the transition zones between expanding (urban) settlements and mountains? (b) What are the environmental and anthropogenic drivers of change in mountain biodiversity in tropical mountain regions? and (c) What are the trends in and predicted trajectories of mountain biodiversity in Brazil, South America, and in tropical mountains generally?
Methods: To answer the above questions, the use of a variety of methods will be required. Data and information extraction from existing sources will be followed by scaling and standardising data, quality checking, establishing temporal series at various spatial resolutions, from plot to satellite image scene scales. A variety of statistical tools will be used to establish relationships, analyse change and trends in biodiversity and ecosystem services and environmental variables, using uni- and multivariate data and remote-sensing data products. Various modelling exercises (e.g., species distribution, ecosystem services, land use change) will complete the analyses, to project potential trajectories of future changes in biodiversity and potential ecosystem services as a result of changes in their drivers.
Expected results: By answering the proposed research questions, the project will produce state-of-the art and to date missing knowledge on the state and trends in mountain biodiversity and ecosystem services and their drivers of change, thereby enabling science-based decision making and management.The project is expected to generate at the minimum three high-impact scientific publications led by the PDRF, and several additional ones led by PRs. The PDRA will make presentations at international conferences, and as part of our extension programme, at the local level. The PDRF will be encouraged to contribute to a post-graduate summer school at the end of the project.
Expected impacts of findings include new understanding of problems associated with mountain biodiversity and its management, contributing to improvements in policy and practice. TROMBIOS aims to leave a long-lasting legacy by establishing and consolidating a new mountain biodiversity synthesis centre in South America as part of the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment Latin America and the Caribbean hub.