Dear colleagues,
A 30-month post-doctoral position is available at the Earth and Life
Institute (Universite catholique de Louvain, Belgium).
Full description of the position is given below,
Best regards,
Quentin
*Job announcement*
A 30-month post-doctoral position (1st June 2012 -- 30th November 2014)
in forest biogeochemistry modeling is available at the Earth and Life
Institute (Universite catholique de Louvain, Belgium)
*Objectives of the project*
EcoRisk is a 4-year project funded by the Belgian Science Policy,
involving 4 research teams (University of Antwerp, Universite catholique
de Louvain, Royal Meteorological Institute, Belgian Nuclear Research
Centre). It aims at designing a decision support tool capable of
modeling scenarios of forest growth, nutrient uptake and pollutant
behaviour under different forest, soil, groundwater and climate
conditions in Belgian forests.
Within this project, the candidate will develop a specific nutrient
module and will ensure its coupling to the existing ANAFORE stand growth
model. This module will concentrate on P and base cations, using a
mechanistic approach allowing to take into account major soil feedbacks
while considering forest response to global change.
*Qualifications*
- Ph.D in soil science, forest science or related fields;
- Strong modeling capabilities and knowledge of at least one programming
language;
- Indepth knowledge of forest ecosystem processes, especially of
biogeochemistry;
- Ability to communicate/report clearly in English, both orally and in
writing. Some knowledge of French or willingness to learn French
language expected;
- Ability to work in a team and independently;
- A laboratory and field experience in soil /plant / forest science is an
additional advantage.
*Hosting team*
The Earth and Life Institute comprises more than 300 scientists --
bioengineers, physicists, agronomists, ecologists, geographers,
microbiologists -- working on the understanding and management of natural
and anthropized systems, at various spatial and temporal scales. Within
the Pole 'Environmental Sciences' of this institute, the
candidate will be attached to a team working on the biogeochemistry of
forest ecosystems. He will strongly interact with the other partners of
the project, as well as with internal and external collaborators.
*Application and contacts*
Potential candidates are invited to send a curriculum vitae and a letter
of recommendation by email ([email protected]) as soon as
possible, and before May 7th (closing date). Based on this, a short list
of candidates will be retained for an interview (video conference is
possible for foreign candidates) between May 9th and May 11th. Expected
starting date is 1st June 2012.
For further information: [email protected],
[email protected]
