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

Subject description
Our aim is to quantify the feedbacks between climate and European forests and advance understanding of relevant biophysical and biogeochemical processes for different tree species across different climate zones in Europe. Specifically for Sweden’s forests, we assess post-fire and forest management impacts on carbon stocks and greenhouse gas budgets.

Using high spatial-resolution satellite data in combination with footprint modelling and greenhouse-gas measurements, we will improve our understanding on how forest-specific factors (like tree species, stand age, and management conditions), weather variations (e.g., drought, heat stress) and disturbances (fire, insect attacks) impact stand-scale carbon uptake and forest growth dynamics.

The position is embedded in two projects, the Horizon Europe project CLIMB-FOREST (CLImate Mitigation and Bioeconomy pathways for sustainable FORESTry) and a Formas/BECC funded project on forest fires in Sweden. The goal of both projects is to develop and support robust solutions for sustainable forests in a changing climate. The position offers collaboration with several international partner institutions.

Work duties
The main duty involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours.

Detailed description of the work duties:

• Research within the subject area
• Publication of the results in high-quality journals
• Attending project meetings and conferences
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students
• Field work and processing data of GHG measurements
• Administration related to the work duties listed above

The post is based in Lund, but may include fieldwork in central 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, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• PhD in Environmental Science, Physical Geography, or a closely related field within Natural Sciences
• Excellent knowledge in carbon cycling and GHG budgeting
• A publication record commensurate with the career stage
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English
• Demonstrated proficiency in programming languages: Matlab, ArcGIS or similar
• Excellent communication skills, ability to work in a team but also independently, and to complete activities on time

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.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research
• Teaching skills

Merits:

• Demonstrated knowledge in remote sensing approaches focussing on vegetation
• Demonstrated experience in forest fire research
• Experience in multivariate statistics or spatio-temporal analysis, e.g. mixed effects modelling, time-series analysis, image analysis / GIS, empirical GHG modelling
• Demonstrated skills in handling and analysis of large datasets
• Experience in processing GHG flux raw data from eddy-covariance towers (e.g. EddyPro)
• Experience to independently plan and carry out field work
• Swedish or EU driver's license

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 3 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 and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022. Start date: May 2023 or by agreement.

Instructions on how to apply
Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• General description of past research and future research interests (max2 pages)
• Contact information of at least two references
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered. Please do NOT send original documents.