Postdoctoral fellow in Environmental Science - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The postdoctoral position is funded by BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate), an interdisciplinary strategic research area based on collaboration between more than 250 researchers at the universities of Lund and Gothenburg. BECC develops research that contributes to the visualization and generation of knowledge to predict and manage the combined effect of climate change and land use on biodiversity, ecosystems and ecosystem services. BECC's strength is its existing and successful research leaders from many different disciplines such as biology, political science, geology, mathematics, physical geography and economics that together develop BECC. The Center for Environmental and Climate Research, CEC, hosts BECC. CEC is both a physical and a virtual center at Lund University. CEC conducts research, education and communication about environmental science and climate research.

Towards better assessments of nutrient constraints on soil carbon sequestration: including soil microbial and mineral mechanisms into terrestrial biosphere models

Soils contain the largest carbon (C) pool in terrestrial ecosystems, and the capacity of soils to sequester C is thus important for climate mitigation. However, model uncertainties caused by inadequate process descriptions of C-nutrient interactions lead to high uncertainties in the future projections of terrestrial C sequestration. The aim of this project is to include soil microbial and mineral mechanisms into a terrestrial biosphere model (TBM), to improve the assessments of nutrient constraints on soil C sequestration. A combined approach of process-based modelling and soil measurements from four forest sites will be used to meet the aim. The improved model will be capable of better predicting the effects of management strategies on C sequestration, to provide more robust decision support.

Duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The post doctor will combine field observations, lab analyses and process-based modelling on a site-level to be able to improve process descriptions of microbial processes and soil C-nutrient interactions into the terrestrial biosphere model QUINCY. In the first part of the study, the post doctor will perform complementary sampling on soil properties related to the microbial community on an environmental monitoring site in southern Sweden. The data will be used to increase process understanding of microbial dynamics and adjust the process descriptions in two different site-level biogeochemistry models, ForSAFE and JSM. In the second part of the study, the updated soil processes from the site-level models will be coupled to the terrestrial biosphere model QUINCY, by modifying the model structure, re-calibrating model parameters, and refining the plant-soil interactions. The effects of nutrient constraints on SOC sequestration in Sweden, simulated by the updated QUINCY model, will then be evaluated, first on three well investigated sites within the ICOS network in southern, central and northern Sweden, then on 500 national monitoring sites across Sweden.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has 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 can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements

• PhD degree in natural science, preferably in environmental science, physical geography, ecology, environmental engineering or equivalent
• Documented knowledge about microbial processes and how they are related to nutrient cycling (nitrogen, phosphorous and base cations) in forest soils
• Extensive experience in developing global ecosystem models or dynamic soil models, using FORTRAN, C++ or similar languages.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008. 

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. Please draw up the application in accordance with LTH’s Academic qualifications portfolio – see link below. Upload the application as PDF-files in the recruitment system. Read more:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/