This course aims at creating a new cohort of researchers who will be able to refine and address the most important theoretical and experimental challenges in the context of open ocean seascape ecology. That is, to introduce the ocean fluid dynamics into current theoretical frameworks (community structure, biogeographies, niche concept, effectiveness of the active tracer response, persistence and fitness, possible functional redundancy, stability of the metabolic machinery with respect to species turnover, etc.) and in the design of new multidisciplinary studies.

Scientific directors: Daniele Iudicone, Patrizio Mariani, Colomban de Vargas, Alejandro Maass

Main lecturers:

Meike Vogt (ETHZ, Switzerland)
Lucie Bittner (Sorbonne Université, France)
Damien Eveillard (Université de Nantes, France)
Enrico Ser Giacomi (CSIC-UIB, Spain)
Samir Suweis (University of Padua, Italy)
others to be announced

Course Content/topics

Complex System Theories and theoretical ecology
Biophysical coupling / Ocean Physics / Climate dynamics
Advanced Data analysis (combining heterogeneous data)/ Niche modelling / Bioinformatic / etc

Target Audience

Advanced PhD students working in marine sciences related fields

Course Format

Onsite, including morning lectures, afternoon debates and evening 'talks'

Learner Assessment and Course Certificate: TBD

This course is a joint organization of the following EU-funded projects:

Prerequisites

None

Application procedure

Attendance is limited to 30 - 40 participants maximum. Open to participation from outside EU with specific focus on participation from countries in the projects.

The following criteria will be used in the selection process:

motivation statement (how can this training course improve current research)
academic background/ quality (no CVs uploading, CV-like information should be provided online (eg ORCID, ResearchGate, LinkedIN, institutional page, others))
how the training can contribute to better address a current/future research question, etc);
current role/job position and content or study/research topic
endorsement/support letter from direct supervisor

Late stage PhD applicant will be prioritized. The organizers will pursue a balanced gender and geographical distribution of the participants.

Period for applications: 29 March until 5th May 2024

Grant opportunities

A travel scholarship will cover travel expenses for 3 students residing in European countries and 1 student residing outside Europe.

In case you need to apply for travel support, please also fill in the dedicated grant application form.

Learning outcomes

Key points: community structures and functioning, reactive dynamics, emerging patterns and predictability for pelagic oceanic ecosystems, i.e., ecosystems whose substrate is a fluid.