Post-doctoral fellow in Environmental Science (PA2023/1834)

Subject description and Work duties

The main duties 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. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

This postdoctoral fellow will work in an interdisciplinary project at the Center for Environmental and Climate Science. Within the project, a conceptual framework is being developed for how nature-based solutions can generate synergies and mitigate conflicts between biodiversity conservation, climate action, public health and human well-being. As the framework is developed by an interdisciplinary team, it builds on knowledge of biodiversity, ecological processes, environmental psychology, and epidemiology. A central part of the work is to systematically map existing evidence for how trade-offs and synergies between climate benefit, biodiversity and health can be affected by nature-based solutions. The focus is on the extent to which there are mechanistic connections, e.g. in that biodiversity affects the resilience of ecosystems to climate change, and to what extent there are indirect associations, e.g. in that the structure of ecosystems affects both diversity and climate. Empirical or model-based analyzes will be used to investigate how the design and/or spatial placement of nature-based solutions affects synergies and conflicts between biodiversity conservation and other purposes of nature-based solutions, such as carbon sequestration.

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 date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Requirements

• Completed doctoral degree in ecology, environmental science, or similar
• Documented knowledge of biodiversity, conservation biology, ecosystem ecology or related subjects
• Proven skills in producing and publishing high quality research
• Excellent ability to work in a team
• Excellent English skills, written and spoken, as it is required for the daily work.

Merits

• Experience of interdisciplinary work
• Experience of knowledge synthesis (e.g. systematic review of literature, meta-analysis)
• Documented knowledge of the research area, e.g. in terms of nature-based solutions, conservation biology, or forest ecology
• Previous experience of collaboration with consumers
• Documented skills in statistical analysis of complex ecological data or documented experience in ecological modeling

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.

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 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 and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

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,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.