Post-doc in Soil-Crop modelling

We at the Department of Soil and Environment conduct state-of-the-art research on the soil system in both national and international contexts. Our research focuses on fundamental soil properties and processes, as well as how soil functions are affected by changes in environmental conditions, including climate change. Through research, environmental analysis and education, we contribute knowledge about future sustainable land use and develop new solutions as a basis for decision-making in agriculture, forestry and the urban environment. The working environment at the department is international and we have around 100 employees.

Our research is carried out in seven subject groups with a focus on soil biology, soil nutrient cycling, soil chemistry, agricultural water management, soil and environmental physics, soil mechanics and soil management, and the biogeochemistry of forest soils. We are responsible for important research infrastructure in the form of soil chemistry and soil physics laboratories, an X-ray scanner, long-term field experiments, a lysimeter facility, and the field research stations at Lanna and Lövsta. The Department contributes to approximately 30 courses at undergraduate and advanced level.

We are a part of the Soil, Water and Environment Center at SLU (MVM-center), which provides links to environmental monitoring and research on water systems, recycling and bioenergy. Our work is aligned to national environmental and climate goals as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals. We are situated at Campus Ultuna in Uppsala and in Skara.


Duties:
The successful candidate will conduct research within a small team in the Soil and Environmental Physics group who work with the development of soil-vegetation models for water, carbon and nitrogen  cycling in  agroecosystems. The candidate will have the opportunity to join ongoing research projects, dealing with the important role of soil structure and crop-rotations in regulating soil moisture, soil water balance, crop growth and carbon sequestration in soils under climate change. 

The work will consist of model calibration and testing against field trial data and scenario simulations evaluating the potential for new cropping practices to support climate change adaptation and mitigation. The candidate is expected to publish their research findings in international refereed journals.

Qualifications:
A PhD in Soil science, Agronomy, Environmental sciences or Environmental/Agricultural/Bio-systems engineering is required for this position. The candidate should have extensive knowledge of hydrological processes as well as carbon and nitrogen cycling in the soil-plant system. The candidate should also have demonstrated experience of the use of simulation models of soil-vegetation  systems in research. It is also advantageous if the candidate has experience of working with future climate scenarios.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with good communication skills and the ability to work both independently and in a team. Fluency in written and spoken English is required. A postdoctoral appointment is a career-developing position for junior researchers, so we are primarily looking for candidates who received their doctoral degree within the last three years.

Selection among applicants meeting the requirements will be made with reference to the written application including the cover letter and curriculum vitae, references from persons familiar with the applicant's qualifications, certified knowledge of the English language and interviews.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Temporary employment 24 months, with the possibility of extension.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
2023-05-01 or as soon as possible according to agreement

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-04-16, use the button below.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

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



The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations, experimental parks and educational establishments throughout Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives, but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world.

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.

www.slu.se