Postdoc position in Forest Biodiversity Conservation

Department of Wildlife, Fish, and Environmental Studies
We are seeking a post doc for a collaborative project between SLU and Stora Enso’s Forest Division. The project is part of a larger research initiative between SLU and Stora Enso where several researchers, postdocs and PhDs are currently involved, which opens opportunities for collaboration within SLU but also outside academia.

This post doc will focus on issues that concern biodiversity conservation in practical forestry by analysing species and structure data from a large-scale field survey conducted in both Sweden and Finland. The data includes species data on bryophytes, lichens, polypores and beetles from 240 field plots, making this a uniquely large forest biodiversity dataset. The collaboration with Stora Enso generates a high societal relevance to the project. The post doc will work at the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies in Umeå and become a part of a strong research environment focusing on restoration ecology, through empirical studies and large-scale field experiments (see https://www.slu.se/en/departments/wildlife-fish-environmental-studies/research/research-areas/restoration-ecology/). The postdoc will collaborate with the department of Ecology and the Species Information Centre at SLU in Uppsala and Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) in Finland.

At the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies we offer a creative and stimulating environment and perform internationally recognised basic and applied research, education and environmental monitoring in the areas of biodiversity restoration and conservation, fish biology, wildlife ecology and zoonosis. The department has a large proportion of international employees and well established national and international cooperation which gives opportunities for fruitful exchange.

Duties:
The post doc will analyse data from the aforementioned field survey with the aim to gain better understanding of factors controlling species diversity in relation to forest management. During the first year also field work in central Sweden will be included. The postdoc is expected to contribute actively to the development and planning of the studies, independently coordinate the practical work and analyse the collected data and write scientific publications together with the research group. Moreover, the postdoc will write popular science reports, which will be used within Stora Enso’s organisation and contribute to the collaboration activities between Stora Enso and SLU.

Qualifications:
The applicant should hold a PhD in ecology (or in a similar relevant subject). As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates obtained a doctoral degree within the last three years. Experience from relevant research questions (terrestrial ecology, nature conservation in forests, forestry, landscape ecology, conservation strategies, especially in Northern Europe) is a merit. Experience from statistical analyses of large data sets is considered a merit along with a strong publication record (in relation to the time since the doctoral degree). The applicant is expected to be able to take own initiatives and work independently and in a group. Excellent skills in written and oral communication in English are required.

Place of work:
Umeå

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 24 months

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
According to agreement. 

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2022-02-15, use the button below.

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