We are looking for a highly motivated postdoc to work on the role of mosses in mediating carbon cycling in boreal forests.
Boreal forests store more than 30% of all terrestrial carbon (C). To protect these C stocks, reduce CO2 emissions and thereby mitigate climate change, it is crucial to understand the drivers of C cycling in boreal forests. In these forests, the understory vegetation is often dominated by feathermosses. The thick layer that these mosses form – the "bryosphere" – consists of living and dead mosses and is inhabited by a large diversity of organisms. These organisms collectively comprise the moss food web which governs the rates of key C cycling processes. In this project, we will take an integrated approach and test how two key extrinsic drivers (plant litter input and precipitation) affect C cycling in the bryosphere, and how the bryosphere affects ecosystem consists of living and dead mosses and is inhabited by a large diversity of organisms. These organisms collectively comprise the moss food web which governs the rates of key C cycling processes. In this project, we will take an integrated approach and test how two key extrinsic drivers (plant litter input and precipitation) affect C cycling in the bryosphere, and how the bryosphere affects ecosystem-level C cycling and long-term C storage in boreal forests. We will also explore how the composition of the moss food web controls these processes. The position is fully funded for 2 years, and is located at the department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU, in Umeå, Sweden. The primary supervisor for the post-doctoral researcher will be Paul Kardol, with co-supervisors Michael Gundale, Marie supervisors Michael Gundale, Marie-Charlotte Nilsson, and David Wardle (Nanyang University, Singapore). The department has 73 members of staff which 12 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/ Duties: We seek a post-doctoral researcher to investigate the key controls of C cycling in the bryosphere and quantify the importance of the bryosphere for ecosystem-level C cycling and long-term C sequestration under realistic field conditions in northern Sweden. The tasks that this project involves include the quantification of C fluxes and pools in a unique long-term moss removal experiment which is set-up across 30 highly contrasting forested lake islands differing in soil fertility. The post-doctoral researcher will also run mesocosm and lysimeter experiments under controlled greenhouse or common garden conditions at SLU-Umeå. We further anticipate that the post-doctoral researcher will carry out sampling and analysis of microbial and/or invertebrate communities inhabiting the bryosphere. Qualifications: We seek a highly motivated individual with good communication skills in written and verbal English, and a strong work ethic. We seek someone who is capable of conducting primary research and developing scientific publications targeted towards prominent international journals. We also seek someone who can work in a team context as well as independently. We are looking for someone with a PhD in ecology or closely related field, particularly with an emphasis in soil biology. Good numerical and statistical skills and previous experience with C flux measurements are desirable. A driving license is required for travelling to field sites. As postdoctoral appointments are career doctoral researcher will carry out sampling and analysis of microbial and/ and/or invertebrate communities inhabiting the bryosphere. Qualifications: We seek a highly motivated individual with good communication skills in w written and verbal English, and a strong work ethic. We seek someone who is c capable of conducting primary research and developing scientific p publications targeted towards prominent international journals. We also s seek someone who can work in a team context as well as independently. We a are looking for someone with a PhD in ecology or closely related field, p particularly with an emphasis in soil biology. Good numerical and s statistical skills and previous experience with C flux measurements are d desirable. A driving license is required for travelling to field sites. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions for junior researchers, we researchers, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is three y that is three years old at the most. Place of work: Umeå Form of employment: A temporary position for two years Extent: 100% Starting date: According to agreement, but preferable June 1 2018. Application: We welcome your application no later than 2018-03-09 at https://www.slu.se/en/about-slu/jobs-vacancies/?rmpage=job&rmjob=p603 The application should contain the following written in English: 1) A cover let letter describing yourself and your match to the above mentioned project, as as well as your motivation for applying for the position. 2) A CV des describing your education, publications and relevant work experience and 3) nam names and contact information for three references. Academic union representatives: https://internt.slu.se/min-anstallning/facket/kontaktpersoner/ 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 pr degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource managemen management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architect architecture. SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environ environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala. SLU is an equal opportunity employer. Contact person Paul Kardol [email protected]
