Postdoctoral Fellow in Modelling of soil microbial processes

Ref. No. SU FV-4379-22

at the Department of Physical Geography . Closing date: 22 January 2023.

The Department of Physical Geography is one of the major departments within the Faculty of Science. The department has approximately 110 employees and educates approximately 1 000 students annually. Education is oriented towards geography, geosciences, biology-earth sciences, and environmental protection and environmental management. The main research areas are: Geomorphology and Glaciology; Water, Permafrost and Environmental Systems; Climate Science and Quaternary Geology; and Landscape, Evironment and Geomatics.  

Project description
The position will be associated with the project: Holistic management practices, modelling and monitoring for European forest soils (HoliSoils, https://holisoils.eu/). The project HoliSoils investigates how soil processes and biota drive the cycles of carbon and nutrients in forests, thereby promoting soil-related ecosystem services that need to be considered in forest management and climate policy. Specifically, the part of the project conducted at Stockholm University aims at modelling microbial processes in soils and linking detailed microbial models to ecosystem models. These ecosystem models are then used within HoliSoils to quantify and predict how forest disturbances and management practices affect soil biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem service provision. Model developments at Stockholm University will be conducted in close collaboration with Bertrand Guenet and Rose Abramoff in the land-surface modeling group at the IPSL (Institut Pierre et Simon Laplace), and data-model integration will be facilitated by working with Petr Baldrian at the IMIC (Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences). Collaborations with several other partners in the HoliSoils project are envisioned, providing a unique opportunity for networking across Europe.

Main responsibilities
The appointed postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for:

• Developing empirical (statistical) models predicting carbon cycling processes from microbial diversity indices (in collaboration with IMIC)
• Developing new process-based models that can resolve the links between the diversity and function of soil biota
• Interfacing these detailed models with ecosystems models (in collaboration with IPSL)
• Coupling carbon and nitrogen cycling in the above models
• Attending project meetings, writing result reports, and participating to activities in the project beyond modelling (data analyses, conceptual developments etc.).

What we can offer: The chosen candidate will find a stimulating and friendly environment in a very diverse and international department. We will strive to support and advice the postdoc towards an outstanding research career. We will help him/her develop connections and collaborations within our research networks and beyond. The postdoc will be involved in proposal writing and encouraged to apply for funding as main applicant (in addition to this two-year position). In addition to the HoliSoils project network, Stockholm University and the Bolin Centre for Climate Research also offer countless educational and networking opportunities and workshops. Last, but not the least, the Stockholm area is both a hub for scientific innovations and a region offering high quality of life.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria
The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to candidates with degrees in a relevant discipline (engineering, applied mathematics, soil science, ecology, hydrology, (bio)physics) and a strong computational or mathematical background. Proven experience with computer programming and soil or ecosystem biogeochemical models is vital. Experience of publishing in top-level journals in English is also important.

Terms of employment
The position involves full-time employment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of three years, with the possibility of extension under special circumstances. Start date 2023-02-15 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
Further information about the position can be obtained from Docent Stefano Manzoni, telephone:+46 8 674 78 02, [email protected] .

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, [email protected] , Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, [email protected] , and [email protected] (SEKO).

Application
Apply for the position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Project proposal presenting the applicant’s view on:
  – state of the art on the project topic described in the advertisement (max half page)
  – knowledge gaps that need to be addressed (max half page)
  – proposed approach to fill the identified gaps and how it is related to the applicant’s knowledge/expertise and previous experiences (max one page)
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position .

You are welcome to apply!

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

URL to this page
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