Postdoc in agricultural water management

Department of Soil and Environment
Postdoc in agricultural water management for climate adaptation in temperate – boreal agriculture
About the position
The overall aim with this postdoc position is to contribute new insights on climate adaptation strategies through agricultural water and soil management in the temperate – boreal regions of Sweden. The specific tasks is to conduct research to:


• Assess effectiveness of small on-farm reservoirs: Develop, collect and analyse data with reference to water quantity and quality,and water use, of on-farm reservoirs collecting storm runoff and drainage 
• Investigate other agricultural water management strategies (esp drainage) and effectiveness under current and future climate conditions
• Collect and support analysis of crop systems adaptation with catch crops
• Support database on agroclimatic indicators
• Relate results to ecosystems services framework and/or other relevant environmental and production goals, such as Swedish environmental objectives (miljömål), Agenda 2030, and EU Water directive

The postdoc is expected to gain professional independence in leading development of scientific publications, proposal and project developments during the postdoc period. Contributions to the team efforts on research publications and communication of research findings is expected. Additional career development opportunities can be offered through participation in teaching and/or outreach activities in agreement with supervisor.

The postdoc position will be based at the Department of Soil and Environment, SLU Uppsala and contribute to the Horizon Mission CLIMA project "PRECILIENCE: precision solutions for climate resilience" https://www.precilience.eu/. The postdoc will be part of the Agricultural Water Management team, under supervision of Professor Jennie Barron and additional support Dr Helena Aronsson and colleagues in Department of Soil & Environment and other departments. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are looking for candidates who obtained a doctoral degree within the last five years.

Your profile
 (Required)


• Applicants should have a PhD in science disciplines, such as hydrology, physical geography/earth and environmental sciences, soil sciences, agronomy, ecology, applied mathematics or statistics, or related fields. The candidate will have proven interests and track-record on applied environmental analysis for agricultural and/or hydrology/water management
• The PhD should be completed in 2020 or later
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate that (s)he independently can initiate, conduct and complete research projects (sub tasks) and to generate and publish the findings in international peer-reviewed journals
• Willingness to travel and carry out field work. Drivers licence is required
• Excellent communication skills in English (both written and oral) are required

(Advantage)


• Experience of application of data management, monitoring, modelling and/or statistical applications is a merit, especially within field of hydrology (water quantity and quality), agro-meteorology, land/soil, agriculture and/or ecosystem services
• Experience from practical work related to water management and governance at landscape scale is a merit, especially data collection for water quantity and quality
• Skills of programming (R, Matlab, Python or similar), hydrological and water baance modelling, numerical modelling, RS-GIS, statistical evaluation is an advantage
• Understanding temperate-boreal agricultural landscape and crop systems
• It is an advantage to speak/write Swedish

A postdoctoral appointment is a career-developing position for junior researchers, and we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is obtained in 2020  or later.

About us
The Department of Soil & Environment conducts research, environmental monitoring & assessment and higher education for sustainable soil management in agriculture, forestry and urban environments. Outcomes are aligned to and contribute towards national and international strategies on food security, national environmental objectives and climate reporting as well as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The majority of the department’s activities and employees are located in the Soil-Water-Environment building on the SLU Ultuna campus in Uppsala, and there is a research group and a field research station situated in Skara.

Read more about our benefits and working at SLU by visiting: https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Location:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Contract employment 24 months, with possible extension.

Scope:
100%

Start date:
1st Dec 2024 or 10th Jan 2025 or as agreed.

Application:
Please submit your application before deadline 31st October 2024. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

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

 


The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has a key role in the development for sustainable life, based on science and education. Through our focus on the interaction between humans, animals and ecosystems and the responsible use of natural resources, we contribute to sustainable societal development and good living conditions on our planet. Our main campuses are located in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala, however, the university also operates at research stations, experimental forests and teaching sites throughout Sweden.

SLU has around 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and doctoral students and a turnover of over SEK 3 billion. We are investing in attractive environments on all of our campuses. We strive to provide a work environment characterised by inclusivity and gender equality, where different experiences generate conversations between people and pave the way for science, creativity and development. Therefore, we welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.