Postdoc in Environmental Assessment: Climate benefit of wetland restoration

Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment
We are looking for a person who wants to develop statistical methods and hydrological modelling to better understand the potential climate benefits of wetland restoration.
About the position
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher who will work with the project: ”Revealing the potential of wetland restoration as a nature-based climate-solution”. Wetlands, in particular peat-forming high-latitude mires, account for a considerable part of the global soil carbon pool. Drainage may turn these carbon rich systems from long-term sinks to long-term sources of carbon to the atmosphere, due to increased peat decomposition with deeper peat aeration. Peatland restoration has been suggested as an effective strategy to preserve the organic carbon in the soil. Yet, a more holistic view of which peatland and catchment characteristics that are important for the restoration success from a carbon perspective are lacking. This international postdoc project is a collaboration between SLU and the University of Toronto. Natural, drained and restored peatlands in Sweden, Finland, Norway and Canada will be compared in terms of their carbon balance. The main focus will be on deciphering which properties of the peatlands and their upslope catchments areas that control the balance in the different systems. Innovative statistical methods and process modelling will be central elements of this project. The modelling combines empirical field data from northern peatlands, with high-resolution maps that are used e.g. in hydrological modelling of the catchments areas.

Six months of this employment will be stationed at the University of Toronto in Canada.

Your profile
As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three years old at most. We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in soil science or equivalent. The applicant should have a strong interest in science and the ambition to work as part of a research team. Knowledge of peatland biogeochemistry and hydrology, statistics, hydrological modelling and geographical information systems are merits for the position. The ability to express oneself well in both written and spoken English is also an important merit. Personal qualities including the ability to collaborate, as well as analytical and problem-solving skills are also selection criteria.

About us
The Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment is working with applied environmental science, with a national responsibility for assessing the condition of Swedish surface waters with respect to water chemistry, pollution and aquatic biota. The research focuses on geochemical and hydrological processes, aquatic ecology and biodiversity, microbial ecology as well as on environmental chemistry and aquatic ecotoxicology. The department has some 140 employees, of which approximately half are researchers/doctoral students and the other half are technical and administrative staff.

For more information about the department visit: www.slu.se/aquatic-sciences

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

Scope:
100%

Start date:
2024-10-01

Application:
Please submit your application before deadline 20 May 2024. You can submit your application by clicking the button below.

Your application should include;


• A personal letter including research interests (1-2 pages)
• A CV including publication list
• A proof of PhD exam
• The names of two references

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.