They are international profiles that develop research lines complementary to the current research portfolio of the Institute.
The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM-CSIC) in Barcelona has incorporated six postdoctoral researchers in the framework of a call funded by the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation and aimed at international profiles that seek to stabilize their professional career in a marine research center of excellence.
The chosen candidates carry out research related to the three research challenges of the Institute. These include the study of Mediterranean seismicity, the impact of marine heat waves in the southwest Atlantic, the effect of natural water alkalinization on the mitigation of ocean acidification, the role of global change on fish population dynamics, the use of new technologies for monitoring mesopelagic habitats, and the role of marine microorganisms in mercury recycling in the ocean.
This internal call was born in the framework of the Severo Ochoa Excellence Accreditation with the aim of attracting young, high-level research talent with a strong international component. Four external evaluators, as well as members of the ICM-CSIC Strategy Committee, were in charge of selecting the most promising profiles.
Therefore, academic excellence, research experience and the complementarity of the candidates' studies with the current lines of research of the ICM-CSIC were taken into account. Likewise, their potential to obtain permanent or long-term positions in the State through competitive calls during the course of the contract, which is valid for two years, was also positively valued.
The ICM-CSIC was recognized in 2020 as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence by the Spanish State Research Agency, a body attached to the Ministry of Science and Innovation. For now, it is the only center dedicated to marine research accredited with this distinction that recognizes the excellence and scientific contributions of research centers on a national and international scale, their social and business impact, and their ability to attract talent.
The objective of the accreditation is to finance and distinguish public research centers and units that have highly competitive, cutting-edge research programs and are among the best in the world in their respective scientific areas. The granting of this aid, which is valid for four years, involves funding of four million euros, which has made it possible to promote initiatives such as this postdoctoral call aimed at attracting young international talent.