PhD Student in Geobiospheric Science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Land use and terrestrial carbon storage

Terrestrial ecosystems provide society with a large ecosystem service by sequestering about 30% of annual carbon dioxide emissions. This sink slows the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and the resulting climate change. However, the carbon sink is threatened by increased land use, where natural ecosystems are replaced by mainly agriculture or forestry which affects the amount of carbon stored in vegetation and soils. Uncertainties remain about how land use affects ecosystem carbon storag, that limit our ability to predict the magnitude of future climate change.

The general aim of this project is to increase our understanding of how land use affects carbon storage in vegetation and/or soils. In the project, natural and managed ecosystems will be contrasted. The approach will combine GIS mapping, modelling and field-based inventories, where the focus may be shifted between methods depending on the interests and profile of the candidate. We seek an independent and highly motivated candidate that will be a part of a dynamic and international research group with five supervisors from both Lund and Stockholm University.

Assignment
The project offers great flexibility for a motivated candidate, the focus of the project can be shifted between three main parts, depending on the interests/skills of the candidate.

(1) Mapping and estimation of carbon storage in natural ecosystems, in Sweden, Europe or globally. The estimation of carbon storage is primarily to be based on existing remote sensing products and inventories, but additional field sampling may be needed for validation.

(2) Statistical modelling of carbon storage in various land use types. The aim of the statistical modelling is to estimate carbon storage in ecosystems under various types of land use to quantify carbon losses due to land use change.

(3) Dynamic ecosystem modelling of historical and future carbon emissions from land use. The aim is to improve dynamic ecosystem models to be used for simulating historical and future terrestrial carbon losses as a consequence of land use change.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The applicants are expected to hold a university degree (preferably MSc. or equivalent) in natural sciences. A degree in subjects like Physical Geography, Earth System Science, Environmental Sciences, Ecology or similar is preferable. Documented experience in field studies is an advantage. Experience of scientific publication in English is an asset.

Essential

• University degree in a relevant field.

Preferred

• Documented experience of all or some of the following methods; field carbon inventory, mapping, remote sensing, statistical modelling and /or dynamic modelling.
• Experience in programming and tools for spatial statistics, geographical information systems, remote sensing, and dynamic modelling.
• Experience in applying for and acquiring external funding.
• Experience and ability to work individually and organise an individual schedule to fulfill a specific goal.
• Experience in working in and leading a team.
• Interest in working internationally, which may include visits at international collaborators.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.