POST-DOCTORAL POSITION OPEN
in
ECOLOGY
Linking plant species diversity of small forest patches embedded in
an agricultural landscape to ecosystem services throughout the
European temperate biome
open at the Jules Verne University of Picardy (UPJV)
Prof. Guillaume DECOCQ's Lab, Amiens city (France)
A multi-year postdoctoral position in ecology is available in the
research group of Guillaume Decocq at Jules Verne University of
Picardie (Amiens, France), beginning in early 2012. The fellowship is
to work primarily on a pan-european project dedicated to ecosystem
services associated to biodiversity of small forest patches in
agricultural landscapes. There is sufficient latitude for the
successful applicant to steer the project to align with her/his interests.
Background: Climate and land use changes pose severe threats to
biodiversity and the services they provide to human societies. In
many parts of Europe, the original forest cover has strongly been
reduced and in these regions forests presently occur as small
fragments, often embedded in an intensively used agricultural matrix.
Despite their small size, these forest patches often act as refuges
for biodiversity and may provide a wide range of ecosystem services
(ES) to populations and human society. Biodiversity and ES of small
forest fragments are mutually dependent as they are determined by a
similar set of drivers. However, the nature and strength of the
relationships between biodiversity and ES will vary, depending on the
taxonomic group and ES under consideration, and on the landscape
context including the type and intensity of the surrounding land-use
and the land-use history. Moreover, the value attributed to an ES
will differ between different regions. All these sources of variation
remain largely unknown and their effects on human perception, hence
on decisions about management, planning and policy, is poorly understood.
The main objective of this project is to quantify ES and biodiversity
in small forest fragments among agricultural landscapes and across
different regions in Europe, to analyse how their mutual
relationships vary between landscapes and to assess the extent to
which ES are valued differently. The project will build on a unique
field experiment covering ~650 forest patches in 16 5 km x 5 km
landscape sampling windows distributed across the entire European
temperate forest biome. During the project, field data will be
collected to quantify the structural, functional and taxonomic
biodiversity and to determine a well-chosen set of ES (including
provisioning, regulating and cultural services such as e.g. stemwood
production, above- and below-ground carbon sequestration,
plant-pest-beneficial insect interactions) delivered by the patches.
In doing so, a series of proxy-measurements will allow covering all
the ~650 patches.
This research will occur in rural landscapes along a transect ranging
from South France to Central Sweden and Estonia, through Belgium and
Germany, but most of the field work will be done in North France,
where the successful applicant will be based (at the Jules Verne
University of Picardie in Amiens city).
Applicants should have the following experience and qualifications:
Ph.D. in Ecology, connferred by January 1st, 2012.
Strong background in (forest) eccosystem ecology (plant ecology,
plant-animal relationship, biogeochemistry/nutrient cycling).
Experience in forest ecology and management, landscape ecology, soil
science, field ecology, and related areas is also desirable. Intimate
working knowledge of GIS.
Excellent verbal and writtenn communication skills to facilitate a
collaborative research environment and dissemination of results in
scientific outlets.
Significant field and laboratory experience and exxcellent
analytical/statistical/modelling skills. Intimate working knowledge of R.
Desire to take the lead role in writting several publications per year.
Willingness to navigate thhe scientific, administrative and financial
aspects of managing a research project within a pan-European network
of scientists.
Willingness to work together with stakeholders aand end-users of the research
Desire to work closely with and mentor others, including undergraduate and
Ph.D. students
A valid driiver's license
The salary is approximately 2100 net per month (ca. $2960)..
Position to begin January 1st, 2012 with an initial one-year
commitment and the possibility of extension to two other years (full
support is available for 3 years).
To apply, please send a cover letter addressing each of the requested
qualification, a CV, two or more references (contact information or
letters), and relevant reprints (optional) to Prof. Guillaume Decocq
(<mailto:[email protected]>[email protected]).
Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
