Research Assistant - Performance of Vegetated Roofs for Ecosystem Services

Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management
The Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management is part of the faculty for Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Sciences. Teaching and research responsibilities of the department cover six thematic areas: landscape planning, landscape analysis, governance and management, urban vegetation, cultural heritage, and design of urban landscapes. Teaching and research are multidisciplinary, including the perspectives of the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and technology. Of special concern is the development of action-oriented knowledge about society and sustainable urban environments through studies of planning and design practices. The department’s staff comprises 80 members, active in both teaching and research.
We are a collaborative, interdisciplinary group of researchers exploring the use of urban green infrastructure in support of sustainable development and healthy urban ecosystems. We seek a research assistant to work in a newly-funded project exploring how the plant communities and engineered soil of urban vegetated (green) roof ecosystems change over time as they age, and how these changes impact the provision of ecosystem services like carbon sequestration, water quality improvement, and habitat diversity.
Duties:
The project includes field work which requires carrying field gear and climbing on ladders, requiring reasonably good dexterity and physical capacity; work on some roofs will require using a harness. Our ideal candidate is responsible, independent, and good at problem-solving.

The research assistant will be responsible for the following:


• Carry out soil and vegetation surveys of vegetated roofs in Malmö (Sweden), Stockholm (Sweden), and Helsinki (Finland), primarily during summer 2020 and 2021
• Carry out lab analysis of soil, vegetation and water samples, including quality assurance/quality control. Analyses planned include carbon and nutrient content, organic matter content, and basic soil physical parameters.
• Carefully and methodically enter data from the field and lab analyses into spreadsheets, visually present the data, and carry out statistical analyses as appropriate
• Take photographs of each green roof during multiple seasons using a standardized protocol
• Assist in gathering, reviewing, and summarizing relevant scientific literature

Additional minor teaching and administrative tasks could also be included as part of the work

Qualifications:
We are seeking a motivated researcher in Environmental Science/Ecology who is organized and reliable, with exceptional attention to detail. Experience with field inventory of vegetation including species identification is a clear merit.

Requirements:


• Bachelors or Masters degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, or related field
• Demonstrated experience with field work and laboratory analyses
• Valid driver’s license (B)
• Willingness to travel for work for weeks at a time during summer
• Ability to effectively communicate in English

Additional merits:


• Expertise with soil sampling, plant cover analysis, and plant identification in the field
• Experience with research on vegetated roof ecosystems
• Experience with data entry using Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis using R or another statistical package
• Experience interfacing with the public
• Ability to effectively communicate in Swedish and/or Finnish

Good collaborative ability is very important, as are good written and oral communication skills.

Place of work:
plus extended periods of travel to Stockholm and Helsinki for field work

Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 18 months

Extent:
80 % of full time

Starting date:
May 1, 2020 or according to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2020-04-03, 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) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.

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 in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.

www.slu.se

SLU is an equal opportunity employer.