PhD position in ecology with a focus on the role of (deep) root dynamics in permafrost-climate feedback
23 Feb 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
Umeå universitet- Department
Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology- Research Field
Environmental science » Ecology- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Country
Sweden- Application Deadline
25 Mar 2024 - 22:59 (UTC)- Type of Contract
Temporary- Job Status
Full-time- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Umeå University, Sweden, invites applicants for a PhD position in ecology, with focus on the role of (deep) root dynamics in permafrost-climate feedback. Start date will be 2024-08-01, or according to agreement. Application deadline is 2024-03-25.
Project description
Permafrost soils contain twice as much carbon as the atmosphere, which they have protected for millennia. As arctic temperatures soar and the rate of permafrost thaw accelerates, there is a growing concern about large carbon losses from permafrost soils into the atmosphere. Even though around 80% of plant biomass in the arctic tundra is belowground, the crucial role of roots in carbon cycling remains unquantified. Roots can promote new carbon storage but also stimulate losses of old soil carbon. Here, deep roots are likely to be disproportionally important, as they increasingly interact with newly-thawed, vulnerable soils. Yet, few studies include root measurements, particularly in deeper soils. In this project we will quantify the role of deep roots in the carbon-climate feedback from thawing permafrost soils by using a long-term field experiment combined with a complementing microcosm experiment. The results will define the importance of root dynamics in deep soils and strongly improve our ability to predict feedbacks from arctic tundra to climate change.
Work tasks
The holder of the position will assess changes in root production and decomposition with warming and permafrost thaw, selectively exclude roots at different depths and then measure changes in gas fluxes and release of millennia-old soil carbon. This will be done in an established field experiment combining warming and permafrost thaw in northern Alaska, USA, and root exudation effects on soil carbon cycling will be measured in a controlled microcosm experiment.
The position is financed by Umeå University. The main supervisor will be Dr. Gesche Blume-Werry with Dr. Ellen Dorrepaal as co-supervisor.
Qualifications
To be admitted for studies at third-cycle level the applicant is required to have completed a second cycle level degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level, or have an equivalent education from abroad, or equivalent qualifications.
To fulfil the specific entry requirements to be admitted for studies at third-cycle level within the subject of ecology, the applicant is required to have completed courses within a first-cycle subject relevant to ecology comprising at least 120 credits. At least one course at second-cycle level in a subject that is central to the doctoral student's planned specialization shall have been completed, as well an independent piece of work (degree project) with relevant specialization of at least 15 credits.
The recruitment procedure for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen Chapter 5 and 7). The requirements should be met at the time of acceptance to doctoral studies.
We are looking for a person with an interest in plant-soil interactions in arctic ecosystems, experience with fieldwork, and an academic background in ecology, physical geography or a similar field. The successful applicant should further have good ability to write and speak in English, creativity, power of initiative, independence, good interpersonal skills, ability to collaborate; and a driving license for cars. Strong merits are knowledge of arctic terrestrial ecosystems and experience in statistics, as well as experience in one or more of the following: measuring plant and soil parameters, greenhouse gas fluxes, or the use of stable isotope techniques.
Evaluations will be based on the application, references, and interviews.
Terms of employment
The employment is expected to result in a doctoral degree and the main assignment for the doctoral student is thus to be part of the research education, which includes participation in the described research project but also to take relevant courses. Teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20%) can be included. The employment is limited to four years at full time or up to five years if teaching and other departmental work is performed. The salary is fixed according to the established salary level for doctoral students.
How to apply
You apply through our recruitment system on xxx at the latest. The application, written in English or Swedish, should include:
The documents should preferably be in PDF-format or alternatively MS Word.
Contact
If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Gesche Blume-Werry, [email protected] or Ellen Dorrepaal, [email protected] .
The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science (EMG) is both a research and teaching department situated within the Umeå University campus. The department has approximately 140 staff members, of which 30 are PhD students. For more information, visit https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-ecology-and-environmental-science/
Requirements
- Research Field
- Environmental science
- Education Level
- Master Degree or equivalent
- Research Field
- Environmental science
- Years of Research Experience
- None
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- Umeå universitet
- Country
- Sweden
- City
- Umeå
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:703818/type:job/where:39/apply:1
Contact
- City
Umeå- Website
http://www.umu.se/english/about-umu/open-positions?languageId=1
STATUS: EXPIRED
Similar Positions
-
Ph D Student In Physical Geography With A Focus On Groundwater Dynamics In Subarctic Palsa Mires. , Umeå University, Sweden, about 14 hours ago
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-...
-
Ph D Position In Environmental Science Blue Carbon Policy In Se Asia , Umeå University, Sweden, about 14 hours ago
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-...
-
Ph D Position In Plant Science With A Focus On Small Proteins , Umeå University, Sweden, about 14 hours ago
Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-...
-
Ph D Position In Radar Remote Sensing Of Forest, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden, 1 day ago
Department of Forest Resource Management The Department of Forest Resource Management conducts education and research in the areas of forest planning, forest remote sensing, forest inventory and s...
-
Ph D Position, Plant Nitrogen Acquisition And Responses To Organic And Mineral Nitrogen, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden, 1 day ago
Department of Forest Ecology and Management The department includes about 115 people of which 9 are professors. Our mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystems and how these shoul...
-
Ph D Position, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden, 1 day ago
The student will be based at the Dept of Ecology, part of the Ecology Centre of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in Uppsala. The student will join a stimulating and dynamic r...