Postdoc position (1year) in Nitrogen footprint indicators

We offer a postdoc position in a research project that aims to quantify and develop nitrogen indicators, so-called nitrogen footprints, for food production and consumption in Sweden. The project will construct a model that estimate nitrogen flows in agriculture and food consumption systems, and test and select indicators in collaboration with a group of stakeholders to ensure that the indicators are relevant and useful for society. Different options for lowering N losses in the overall food system will be assessed. In cooperation with the stakeholder group, the project will draw up recommendations for how food nitrogen footprints can be used as indicators of human use of nitrogen.

Information about the division 
The postdoc will be part of the land-use science group at Physical Resource Theory, which uses a multitude of approaches such as land-use modeling, LCA, energy- and material-flow analysis, remote sensing/GIS, as well as other quantitative and qualitative methods to further the understanding of land-use and biomass systems and the associated environmental, social and economic impacts. There are several other ongoing research projects within the land-use science group, which will provide opportunities for collaboration to address common analytical challenges and data needs.

The division of Physical Resource Theory is one of five divisions in the Department of Space, Earth and Environment, which conducts research and education spanning from global challenges related to sustainability and energy supply to astronomy and space sciences. The division carries out research and education on potential solutions to major environmental challenges such as climate change and sustainable use of land and other resources. At our division we focus on research in the field of technical and socio-economic systems addressing the challenges involved in the transition into a sustainable and low carbon society for a growing population, where a range of different quantitative and qualitative methods can be applied on our research topics. The ambition is to build challenge-driven scientific excellence by crossing traditional boundaries and increase the level of multi-disciplinarity in research. The division has around 50 staff members, faculty and PhD-students with diverse expertise, including engineering, natural science and social science. We also offer courses in areas related to our research.

For more information about the land-use research group at Physical Resource Theory, read here:

Major responsibilities
As a postdoc your main responsibility is to pursue own research. You are expected to have the ability to plan and organize your work, and to work independently as well as in close collaboration with other researchers involved in the Nitrogen footprint project.

Position summary
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of one year.

Qualifications
To qualify for the position of postdoc you must have a doctoral degree in environmental or agricultural or engineering sciences; the degree should generally not be older than three years. A PhD in a research field closely related to the project description is highly meritorious. Documented scientific skills, including demonstrated ability in independent research, publishing in top journals and presenting in international conferences are required.

We expect the applicant to have the ambition and ability to take on own responsibility and to work independently towards set goals. The applicant should be comfortable in communicating and collaborating with people in different functions in society and must be willing to work with stakeholders, e.g., having continuous contacts with members of the stakeholder group, and presenting results and discussing future analyses at stakeholder meetings. 

You will be involved in the dissemination of project results, so you must be comfortable in communicating scientific results, both orally and in written form, in English. Given that the project involves significant interaction with stakeholders, national agencies and other organisations in Sweden, an ability to communicate in Swedish languages is considered a merit. However, it is not a strict requirement.

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20200296 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:

CV: (Please name the document as: CV, Surname, Ref. number) including:
• CV, include complete list of publications
• Previous teaching and pedagogical experiences
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter: (Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous research fields and main research results
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Attested copies of completed education, grades and other certificates.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 1 july, 2020. The expected starting date is September 2020.

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***