Lead Institution
CCARBON – Center for Carbon Research in Tropical Agriculture (University of São Paulo)
Supervisor
Prof. Dr. Maurício Roberto Cherubin (ESALQ/USP)
Host Institution
ESALQ/USP, Piracicaba, São Paulo, Brazil
Fellowship
Postdoctoral fellowship funded by FAPESP
Stipend: R$ 12.570,00 per month
Duration
24 months (full-time dedication/40 hours per week)
Expected Start Date
Immediate
Project Title
Soil macrofauna and its relationship with carbon and soil health: a continental data synthesis and meta-analysis
Abstract
This project aims to advance the understanding the abundance, diversity and distribution of macrofauna and its role in regulating soil carbon dynamics and soil health through a continental-scale data synthesis and meta-analysis. A harmonized database will be developed by integrating soil macrofauna datasets from the CCARBON – CEPID, collaborating institutions and partners (e.g., GlobalSoilMacrofauna consortium), and the scientific literature, together with standardized environmental, climatic, land-use, and management metadata. Using this comprehensive database, the project will identify the main drivers controlling soil macrofauna abundance and diversity in various land uses across Brazil and other tropical regions, while investigating their relationships with soil carbon stocks and soil health indicators. Statistical and machine learning approaches will be employed to develop and validate scoring algorithms for soil macrofauna indicators. It expected to generate high-impact scientific publications, technical and policy reports on soil biodiversity, and openly accessible datasets, while promoting collaboration through workshops with research partners. The outcomes will contribute to integrating soil biodiversity into soil health assessments and support sustainable land management and climate change mitigation strategies.
Project Description and Objectives
The postdoctoral researcher will be primarily responsible for:
1. Dataset Organization
– Compile, organize and harmonize soil macrofauna data of the team and CEPID-CCARBON datasets, research partners and literature into the GlobalSoilMacrofauna standard template.
– Include the metadata (location, climate, biome, land use, sampling depth, management practices, soil properties, etc.), following standardized protocols of the GlobalSoilMacrofauna consortium.
– Organize soil macrofauna indicators in cloud-based and local open-access repositories following national and international standards.
2. Data analysis
– To explore the organized database to understand drivers that govern the abundance and diversity of macrofauna in Brazil and other tropical regions
– Generate and validate scoring curves (algorithms) for macrofauna data using cumulative normal distribution functions and/or machine learning approaches.
– To explore the correlations between macrofauna (taxon abundance, biomass, diversity) and soil carbon data;
3. Scientific Outputs
– To lead the elaboration of technical, scientific and political reports on soil biodiversity;
– Produce scientific papers in high-impact journals related to macrofauna, carbon and soil health
– To produce and deposit datasets in internal and external repositories
– Organize workshops with research partners
Candidate Requirements
Mandatory
- PhD in Soil Science, Agronomy or Environmental Science.
- Solid experience with soil macrofauna field assessments
- Experience in dataset organization, statistical analysis, and/or soil health assessment frameworks;
- Previous publication(s) of scientific paper(s) on soil macrofauna;
- Familiarity with statistical software (R, Python, SAS, or similar).
- English proficiency for reading, writing and presenting.
- Full time residence in Piracicaba (SP).
Desired (a plus)
- Experience with large datasets and metadata standardization.
- Knowledge of geospatial analysis (GIS, QGIS, Google Earth Engine).
- Experience with carbon and soil health metrics and assessment frameworks.
- Previous publications on soil health and soil carbon.
- Familiarity with cloud repositories and reproducible workflows.
- Valid driver’s license.
Application deadline
From August 01st to August 31th, 2026
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the link of CCARBON open opportunities:
https://forms.gle/8iXKrs1VSHEiibGB8
Additional Information
For any questions, please contact us at: research.ccarbon@usp.br; cherubin@usp.br
