Post-doc position

Department of Forest Ecology and Management
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/

In addition to biomass production, there is increased interest in managing forests for their carbon storage, which includes soil carbon.  One important management decision point that can impact both production and soil carbon accumulation rates is choosing which species to plant at which sites. While information already exists about how different boreal species accumulate carbon aboveground, to date very little forest research has addressed how tree species impact soil carbon.  Further, very little research addressing tree species effects on soil carbon accumulation has adopted a plant economic trait spectrum approach.  A detailed mechanistic understanding is needed describing how aboveground and root traits are related to each other, and how these traits, as well as root physiological and nutrient acquisition processes help explain soil carbon accumulation rates.  We seek a post doc colleague who is enthusiastic to explore these topics using an already established replicated forest mono-culture experiment, consisting of 10 different tree species.  The main supervisors for the post-doctoral researcher will be Michael Gundale and Sandra Jämtgård. 

Duties: 
We seek a post-doctoral researcher to apply a plant functional trait framework to understanding how forest tree species impact carbon accumulation.  The duties will potentially include measuring a combination of leaf and root traits, root physiological measurements, and measuring relevant soil carbon and nutrient pools and processes. 

Qualifications:
We seek a motivated and enthusiastic individual with good communication skills, both oral and written.  The candidate must have a completed PhD degree.  We desire a candidate with good social skills, and who is capable of working well in team environments.  The ideal candidate would already have some experience measuring plant functional traits, and describing the plant economic spectrum. Knowledge in the topics of forestry, ecosystem ecology, and/or biogeochemistry are highly desirable. 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:
April 1, 2022

Application:
We welcome your application no later than February 22, 2022, use the button below.

Specific documents attached: 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, and 3) names and contact information for at least three references; 4) copy of your PhD diploma.

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