Post Doctoral Positions

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Forest Ecology and Management Faculty of Forest Sciences Umeå, Sweden invites applications for the following two 2-year POST DOCTORAL POSITIONS (1) Post-doctoral position in Forest Regeneration (2) Post-doctoral position in Aboveground-Belowground Feedbacks The positions are both fully financed for two years will be based in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management.The post-doctoral researchers will be working in an active research environment with up to date laboratory facilities, glasshouse and access to field sites.Much of the work will be field-based.All the field work for the forest regeneration position will be based in the boreal forest of northern Sweden.Half the field work for the aboveground-belowground feedback position will also be based in northern Sweden while half will be based in temperate forests in New Zealand.(1) Description for the Forest Regeneration Position (Ref No 251-169/09): There is much recent interest in the interactions between various disturbance types and forest regeneration in the Swedish boreal forest, especially given the importance of management and fire regime as ecological drivers in boreal forests.This position will investigate how disturbance intensity may affect resource partitioning, resource use and spatial variability of naturally regenerating tree seedlings in the Swedish boreal forest.As such it will contribute to our understanding of manipulation of natural and anthropogenic disturbances as a tool for forest management.The scope of this position is deliberately broad, and will be adapted to suit the specific research interests of the researcher that is appointed.(2) Description for the Aboveground- Belowground Feedback position (Ref No 251-170/09) This position will involve two components.(1) Fire intensity effects in the Swedish boreal forest.Wildfire is the main natural disturbance regime in boreal forests in Sweden.This work will involve characterizing the role of fire intensity (in terms of both canopy disturbance and humus burning) on aboveground and belowground processes that are relevant to ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical processes; (2) Invasive mammals in the New Zealand rainforest.New Zealand represents an excellent 'outdoor laboratory' for studying ecosystem consequences of recent invasion by alien species.This work will involve how invasive mammals in New Zealand rainforest drive aboveground-belowground feedbacks.The scope of both components is deliberately broad, and will be adapted to suit the specific research interests of the researcher that is appointed.It is expected that the researcher will travel to New Zealand each year for fieldwork while remaining based in Umeå. Qualifications for these positions are a PhD in Biology, Ecology or Forestry, not older than three years. Applications for either or both positions should include a written application, including curriculum vitae, a brief description of research interests, and a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's qualifications. Read more about SLU: http://www.slu.se/ SLU is an equal opportunity employer. For a complete advt: personal.slu.se/job