PhD Student "The carbon balance..."

Welcome to Linnaeus University! A place for knowledge, ideas and development. For growth potential and a belief in the future. In Småland and in the world.

Research Environment
The Department of Forestry and Wood Technology carries out research and provides education in the value chain from the market back to silviculture. The field is thematic with an anchored base in the different research topics along the value chain. Research and education are well developed in the wood products value chains and new areas of interest for the future are non-wood forest products and other values of the forest.

Linked to the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology, two bachelors and one master programme are offered to the students. Each year, about 750 students study either on one of our program or on one of our courses. Approximately 600 of these are distance students. We offer top-of-the-line education for those who work in the private forestry sector as well as for those who are planning a future in the saw-mill or wood-manufacturing industry.There are ca. 40 researchers and teachers working at the department, backed by an administrative staff. In addition to three comprehensive programs we also offer about 20 different courses.

Linnaeus University has adopted a strategy for achieving equal conditions for all its employees and students within the university’s fields of activity, which means e.g. a uniform gender distribution within the professorial staff.

Description of the position
The carbon losses that occur after the clear-cut phase have been intensively debated lately and many claim that it takes a long time before the forest has re-absorbed the amounts of carbon dioxide that have been lost during the clear-cut phase. However, the dynamics of the transition from source to sink are still poorly understood. It has been suggested, that continuous-cover forestry (no clear-cuts) may be a better option for the overall carbon balance compared with clear-cut forestry, since emissions during the clear-cut phase are avoided. It is therefore of critical importance to determine and quantify the point, when the forests turns from emitting to absorbing carbon dioxide, in order to compare continuous-cover forestry with conventional forestry involving clear-felling. Therefore, a large field experiment has recently been established at Toftaholm in Ljungby region, where PhD-studies will focus on measurements of carbon dioxide fluxes both by Eddy-covariance technique but also quantified by allometric measurements of biomass pools of tree biomass, soil carbon, and ground vegetation. The PhD-project will also focus a comparison between two different methods to estimate the carbon balance and also how the forest growth rate influences the total carbon balance. Measurements of GHG emissions will also be a part of the field studies.

Assessment criteria/qualifications
Master in forestry/biology is needed for the position and it is positive with knowledge in tree physiology. Also other engineers or applicants with master degrees in related subject can be of interest. Work experience in the field is merited and driving licence is needed (B-licence). High ability to speak and write both Swedish and English is required. Special weight is given to the applicant´s ability to contribute to an attractive research environment and ability to initiate and perform research as well as good skills to communicate with the society, interest organisations and stakeholders.

Terms of employment
The vacancy is a four year full-time appointment

Information
Questions directed towards the research area should be directed to: 
Professor in Silviculture and effects of climate change, Johan Bergh, +46 (0)470 708033, johan.bergh@lnu.se or the head of Department, Associate professor Åsa Rydell Blom +46 (0)706 87 05 15, asa.blom@lnu.se 

Union representatives can be accessed via the university switchboard, +46 (0)772-28 80 00. Matters of employment will be answered by HR consultant Cecilia Turnstedt, +46 (0)470-70 82 12, cecilia.turnstedt@lnu.se

Your application must be registered no later than 31st of March, 2015. Ref.no is: PA 2015/83-2.2.1 More information will be found on the Linnaeus University homepage, under the heading Jobs and vacancies, where you apply. Remember to enclose other relevant appendices such as degree certificates, testimonials and publications, when applying via our website.  

 


Please apply by clicking on the "Apply" button at the bottom of the ad. Your application should be designed according to the Template for application which can be found in the Guide to Appointment procedures under attachments on the right. The credentials you invoke must be verified with certification and they must be attached digitally in your application. Other documents, including various types of scientific works, must be submitted digitally along with the application. The application and other documents to be marked with the reference number. All documents cited must be received by the University no later than 24.00 on the closing day.