Traineeship title: Using plants as indicators of global change: mosses and other species in the Azores
Reference: N154740/20/ACORESRegion
AzoresCountry
Portugal
Traineeship start date:
01/07/2026Traineeship end date:
31/12/2026Traineeship Duration:
Approximately 6 monthsDeadline
30/04/2026Work Schedule
CAmpus Universitário de Angra do Heroísmo (Ilha Terceira)09h00 às 12h30 e das 13h30 às 17h00 (Monday to Friday)
Location
TerceiraTraineeship Area:
Biology & EnvironmentPeriod and duration of the language course:
From 01/07/2026 to 31/07/2026Practical Information
Language Course: from 01/07/2026 until 31/07/2026Practical Traineeship: from 03/08/2026 until 31/12/2026
Includes Trips
YesDescription of the tasks to be undertaken by the trainee(s):
Using plants as indicators of global change
Task 1. Reading and understanding: organizing a short literature review around the following research questions: What are the characteristics of good indicator species? Why are bryophytes used as indicator species around the world? How do elevation gradients change diversity and distribution patterns?
Task 2. Lab training in an understudied group: trainee will be responsible for the first triage and initial identification of bryophyte specimens, using current literature and online information. The supervisor will help for 5-8 hours a week.
Task 3. Identification work: trainee will be responsible for the identification of a set of bryophyte samples collected using a stratified protocol (GIMS, 2018). The supervisor will help for 2-5 hours a week, as needed.
Task 4. Updating the existing database related to the identification of bryophytes.
Task 5. Analysing distribution patterns according to the research question. Using descriptive and inferential statistics.
Task 6. Writing a scientific report and/or a publication to be submitted to an academic journal.
More information: Azorean Biodiversity Group / Grupo da Biodiversidade dos Açores (http://www.gba.uac.pt).
Profile of the Trainee
Qualifications
Biology and/or Life Sciences training
Personal and Social Skills
Willingness to think and learn;
Willingness to work in a research laboratory;
Willingness to work with microscopes and herbarium material;
Friendly disposition.
Language Skills
Good English / Spanish skills.
Information Technology (IT) Skills
Good Excel (or other data programs) knowledge
Other Skills
Other Skills
Some field excursions may be done.