Postdoc position

Department of Forest Ecology and Management
Thresholds and tipping points to global warming: Terrestrial ecosystems are important in providing key services to humankind, but under global warming the provisioning of such ecosystem services is at risk. However, there is little consensus on how the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems will change under projected scenarios of global warming, or when we will reach or surpass thresholds and tipping points. In the ERC-funded project THRESHOLD, we will unravel ecosystem responses to increasing temperatures in terms of the underlying non-linear responses of plants, soil organisms (microbes, nematodes, and other fauna) and their communities.

The department includes about 100 people of which 11 are professors. Our mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystem processes and to progress the principles of forest ecosystem management.

For more information: http://www.slu.se/en/departments/forest-ecology-management/

The main supervisor for the post-doctoral researcher will be Dr. Paul Kardol (Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Umeå). In addition, the supervisor team consists of Dr. Maja Sundqvist and Dr. Sandra Jämtgård (Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Umeå), Prof. Aimée Classen (University of Michigan, USA), and Prof. David Wardle (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore).  

Duties:
We seek a postdoctoral researcher to study how shifts in plant functional trait composition under global warming impact key carbon and nutrient cycling processes. Here, the focus will be on quantifying the shape of response functions and capture threshold responses. An important question is whether non-linearity in above- and belowground plant functional trait responses can be used to predict where thresholds and tipping points in ecosystem responses occur. For this, you will coordinate the establishment of a global network of forest-alpine and forest-tundra ecotones (from woody- to herbaceous-dominated vegetation) which cover temperature gradients on par with expected global warming scenarios.

Qualifications:
We seek an enthusiastic, responsible, and highly-motivated individual with excellent and interpersonal communication skills in verbal and written English, and a strong work ethic. We seek someone capable of conducting primary research (mostly in the field but also in the lab) and developing scientific publications targeted for prominent international journals. The successful candidate should have excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, be good at communicating with groups, have a sense of adventure, and be willing to travel to different field locations and be away from home for extended periods of time. Working conditions in the field may be challenging at times and it is important that when things do not go a planned, you quickly adjust and find a way forward.  

We seek someone with a PhD in ecology or closely related field, particularly with an emphasis on carbon cycling and/or plant functional traits. The candidate must have proven proficiency in writing and publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers. Good numerical and statistical skills are desirable. A valid driving license and passport is required.

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.
Place of work:
Umeå

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 24 months

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
There is some flexibility, but the anticipated starting date will be between 1 April and 1 June 2022.  

Application:
We welcome your application no later than February 25 2022, use the button below.

The application should contain the following written in English: 1) a cover letter describing yourself and your match to the above-mentioned project; 2) a CV describing your education, publications, and relevant work experience, 3) names and contact information for at least three references, and 4) PhD diploma.

SLU is an equal opportunity employer, and we particularly look forward to applications from under-presented groups in this area of research.

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