Phd student

Department of Forest Ecology and Management
A PhD student position for exploring peatland methane (CH4) exchanges is available at the Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU. The department includes 90 people of about 10 are professors. 

Exploring peatland methane exchanges in response to climate and vegetation controls using an eddy covariance flux tower infrastructure
Description:
The goal of this PhD project is to improve our understanding of the peatland CH4 exchanges in response to climate and vegetation controls. The project is based on eddy covariance CH4 flux and environmental measurements in four adjacent boreal peatland sites. Within a larger research framework, these EC-based flux data will be joined with detailed information of soil biogeochemistry, microbial dynamics and plant phenology to further improve process-based modeling of peatland CH4 emissions. The study sites include the well-established Degerö peatland field station (www.slu.se/en/departments/field-based-forest-research/experimental-forests/vindeln-experimental-forests/degero_stormyr/) and recently established sites within the same mire complex. The sites are located close to Vindeln, Västerbotten, and combine the ICOS (www.icos-weden.se/station_degero.html) and SITES (www.slu.se/en/departments/field-based-forest-research/experimental-forests/vindeln-experimental-forests/) research infrastructures. The successful candidate will join a collaborative group of graduate students and senior scientists conducting unique research in boreal peatland ecosystems. The research group has multi-decadal long experience of in depth research on methane biogeochemistry. The student will be given opportunities for cross-project collaborations and to use existing data to explore additional areas of interest. Full funding is available for 4 years and the holder of the position is expected to achieve a PhD degree at the end of this project period. 

Qualifications:
We are searching for a highly motivated student with the following qualifications:


• MSc degree in Environmental Sciences, Physical Geography, Ecology or any related field
• The candidate must have good communication skills, a strong work ethic and be a team player and work well in a research environment
• The candidate must be fluent in English to be able to interact in an English-speaking work environment
• A driving license valid in Sweden is required for accessing the field sites
• Ability to conduct field work and in helping with instrument maintenance is required
• Knowledge of peatland methane dynamics as well as an understanding of their main drivers is desired
• Previous experience with i) collecting and processing eddy covariance flux data, ii) working with spatial information from UAV-, aircraft-, satellite- platforms and iii) computer program skills (Matlab, R) for handling large, high-frequency data sets is considered a strong merit

Place of work:      
Umeå

Forms for funding or employment:
Employment as a PhD student for 4 years.

Starting date:
The position start date is flexible but is anticipated to be in April - June 2020.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-02-21, use the button below.

A person has basic eligibility for third cycle education if he or she has taken a second cycle qualification or has completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, including at least 60 higher education credits at second cycle education. Upper secondary school grades equivalent to English B/English 6 are a basic requirement.

Students interested in this position should send a statement of interest outlining relevant research qualifications and a CV including contact information for three academic references

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements is made with reference to written application including curriculum vitae, copies of degrees and transcripts of academic records, one copy of the dissertation for masters or undergraduate degree, a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and an interview.

Please observe that applicant/s chosen to participate in an interview shall hand in certified true copies of certificates, diplomas and transcripts from previous studies at an internationally recognized higher education institution (university or university college) and transcripts in connection to the interview. If the applicant is a foreign citizen we require a certified copy of the page in your passport with your personal data and photography.

Read about the PhD education at SLU at www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/

Academic union representatives:
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.