Postdoctoral position - Nitrogen input, soil fungal community and stability of forest carbon stock

Managing forests to increase carbon (C) sequestration may be an important measure to reduce atmospheric CO2 concentration, and thereby counter climate change. A promising way to improve natural carbon sequestration (NSC) is to increase nitrogen (N) availability by fertilization. Although promising, questions related to the long-term stability of the sequestered C remains unknown. Hence, we are now looking for a driven person that can join our team and work on clarifying how fertilization influence stability of forest soil C stocks. More specifically the work address how disturbance (logging) influence stability of the soil C stock, if effects differs depending on past fertilization, and if stability can be linked to functional composition of the soil fungal community.

The post doc project will be part of a larger project funded by Vinnova (Sweden’s innovation agency) that explores innovative ways to improve the CO2 -withdrawal by forest management, while at the same time considering the wealth of other ecosystem services and biodiversity. We apply a cross disciplinary approach, and covers a broad range of topics and disciplines, including C flux measurements, biodiversity assessments, water quality, and life cycle assessments of both raw material and practices.

The successful candidate will be affiliated to the Department of Ecology at SLU, but the post doc project as such is ran in tight collaboration with researchers at Department of Soil and Environment (SLU), Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology (SLU), and Department of Ecology and Genetics at Uppsala University.

The work implies quantification of forest soil C stock, DNA-based characterization (meta-barcoding) of soil fungal communities, and field measurements of soil respiration rates in fertilized and unfertilized forests. The practical work consists of a mix of field- and lab-work and data analyses. The successful candidate will in collaboration with the team develop the project, individually plan field- and lab work, coordinate the practical work, analyze collected data. In addition, we expect that the post doc write scientific publications in collaboration with the research team.

Applicants must hold a PhD (with a diploma dated prior to the application date) in ecology, soil science, or a comparable subject. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are firstly looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most. This is, however, not a strict requirement. Previous experience of field-measurements of soil respiration rates, molecular microbial ecology, experience from work with DNA-based characterization (meta-barcoding) of fungal communities, knowledge of northern forest ecosystems, good knowledge of statistical modelling, and driver’s license(for fieldwork) are highly valued merits. The applicant should have documented skills in scientific writing, and excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral). Important are also personal qualities, such as ability to cooperate, being flexible and outgoing, positively contributing to the development of the research group, and ability to work independently.

Uppsala

Two years

100%

By agreement

The application should include a CV, list of publications, a description of previous research (maximum two pages), description of how your previous experience will contribute to the work within the current position (maximum one page), name and address to at least two reference persons. We may ask you to send your PhD thesis at a later stage.

Welcome with your application by the application link no later than 2021-10-24.

https://internt.slu.se/en/my-employment/employee-associations/kontaktpersoner-vid-rekrytering/

The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact person

URL to this pagehttps://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=5406&rmlang=UK