PostDoc in Environmental Science with focus on Policy and Ecosystem Services in Farm-forest Landscapes - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Centre for Environmental and Climate Research, CEC, is a center at Lund University. CEC conducts research, education and communication on environmental science and climate research, read more here http://www.cec.lu.se/. A central part of the CEC is the coordination of the strategic research area Biodiversity in a Changing Climate (BECC).

BECC is a strategic research area that brings together over 200 researchers at Lund University and the University of Gothenburg. BECC brings together scientists from the natural and social sciences to perform research essential in understanding the impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem services on local, regional, national and global scales, to provide a scientific basis for the sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity. We examine how human influence on climate and ecosystems affects biodiversity and ecosystem services from local to global scales and how this knowledge can be integrated into decisions on mitigation or adaptation to these changes. Read more here www.becc.lu.se.

PostDoc in Environmental Science with focus on future agricultural policy, land-use, biodiversity and ecosystem services in farm-forest landscapes

Assessing impacts of future policy scenarios on land-use, biodiversity and ecosystem services in mixed farm-forest landscapes

Farming in marginal areas with its resulting mosaic of forests, afforestation, and active and passive farmland contributes to the maintenance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe. Such areas are heavily supported by agricultural subsidies. It is unclear how future changes in agricultural policy will affect the shares and spatial distribution of farming, forestry and intermediate land-use forms in marginal areas, how biodiversity and ecosystem services will be affected at the landscape scale, and what alternative policy might efficiently ensure their preservation. Together with stakeholders, the Postdoc will for a mixed farm-forest region in Southern Sweden define and evaluate future policy scenarios and identify key interactions between the agricultural and forestry sectors. Scenario-dependent land-use changes will be assessed in collaboration with agricultural economists, using existing farmer agent-based models extended with forestry. The Postdoc will translate predictions to GIS layers of land use and apply biodiversity and ecosystem service models to assess the economic and ecological outcomes of the different scenarios.

Contact person: Yann Clough, +46(0)462226831, yann.clough@cec.lu.se

Webb address to contact person: http://www.cec.lu.se/yann-clough

Qualifications - requirements

• PhD in ecology, physical geography, environmental, agricultural or forestry sciences or similar with a strong background in research on drivers and environmental consequences of land-use dynamics. Candidates with a PhD in economics or social sciences with documented skills in one or several of the disciplines listed above may also be suitable.
• Skills in geographic information systems and spatial analysis are required.
• The applicant needs to be able to pursue independent research and participate in interdisciplinary teamwork.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills are required.
• The candidate must be excellent in spoken and written English.
• The candidate must have a driving license.

Merits

• Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the project it is important that the applicant is genuinely interested in linking natural science and social science, and documented experience in interdisciplinary work are therefore meriting.
• Experience with simulating land-use change using scenarios is desirable.
• Good knowledge about agriculture and forestry sectors, of landscape ecology and ecosystem services, and experience with programming in R or similar software are merits.
• Experience in communicating and collaborating with actors in agriculture, forestry, and/or rural development, including governmental agencies.
• Good command of Swedish (or another closely related Nordic language), both spoken and written, are also desirable given the need to interact with landowners and governmental agencies.

The postdocs main duty will be to carry out research in an active research environment including several postdocs, PhD students, and thesis students investigating research questions in similar themes, with generous opportunity for collaborative work. The postdoc is also expected to actively participate in the BECC environment, by e.g. participating, initiating and contributing to seminars, workshops and thematic research meetings. The postdoc may also participate in teaching on a limited basis.

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant have a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree could have been completed earlier.

The most important criterion for evaluating the applicants will be scientific skill. Emphasis will also be on the extent to which the applicant can contribute to the general development of the strategic research area BECC.

Attachments

CV, cover letter and at least two references to former employees/supervisors.

Personal suitability for the project will be of importance.

 
Terms

The University applies individual payroll. Please enter salary claims in your application