Researcher in carbon stock and flow modelling of savannah ecosystems

Department of Energy and Technology
At the Department of Energy and Technology, research and education are conducted focusing on how agriculture can contribute to a sustainable society. We have extensive expertise in technology and systems for sustainable production of food and bioenergy, including optimal nutrition circuits and logistics systems. Within the field of methodology, we have extensive competence in System Analysis including Environmental Systems Analysis and LCA, as well as Biometrics (statistics and mathematics with applications in biological systems) and Automation.

Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work at SLU at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/work-at-slu/

Duties:
We are seeking a full-time researcher (100%) who can utilize existing methods and data sources to map and estimate changes in carbon stocks in savanna ecosystems in Southern Africa. These ecosystems are facing challenges caused by bush encroachment and invasive species. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in modeling future scenarios of bush harvest and land management as part of a life cycle assessment. This position requires expertise in ecological research and proficiency in relevant analytical tools and software.

Bush encroachment is an increasingly prevalent problem in southern Africa that can have significant environmental and economic consequences. Due to climate change and human activity, the spread of bushes is on the rise, reducing opportunities for livestock management and increasing the risk of land degradation. However, the biomass of these bushes represents a valuable resource in the form of renewable energy that can help to replace fossil fuels and mitigate further global warming. To achieve this, it is crucial to manage ecosystems in such a way that the carbon pools are not adversely affected in the long term. Therefore, it is important to enhance our understanding of how carbon flows are impacted in these systems during the harvesting and management of bush encroached land.

Mapping and developing existing carbon stock models to describe future changes will help to identify appropriate strategies for managing the problem of bush encroachment and reducing its negative impacts on the environment and society.

The work is part of the comprehensive EU-funded research project SteamBioAfrica, which aims to create added value from the bushes that cause problems and stimulate value chains that can contribute to strengthening the local community and reducing the climate impact from the energy system in the region. The work is carried out in collaboration with stakeholders and project partners, which may require business trips.

Qualifications:
Required:


• A PhD degree in environmental science, agronomy, systems science or equivalent
• The position holder must be able to communicate fluently in English

Meriting:

Knowledge about


• savanna ecosystems
• climate impact
• use of carbon stock models, and parameterization of these models is considered an advantage.

Great importance is placed on personal qualities, such as the ability to collaborate, analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to work independently.

Place of work:
Uppsala

Form of employment:
Fixed term employment of 360 days.

Extent:
100%

Starting date:
According to agreement.

Application:
We welcome your application no later than 2023-04-10, using the button below.

Selection of the succesfull candidate will be based upon: written application, including CV, personal references, language skills and personal interview.

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