The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science at Umeå University has about 160 members, including 50 PhD-students and 13 Professors (for further information, see www.emg.umu.se/english/?languageId=1.
The Climate Impacts Research Centre (CIRC) is part of the Department
and undertakes research in how climate and environmental changes affect
the ecosystems of the north. Most of the staff of CIRC is stationed
year-round in Abisko, Kiruna municipality (for further information, see www.emg.umu.se/english/research/circ/).
At this centre, a PhD-position (4 years) is now available to study
climate and ecosystem controls on carbon losses from permafrost soils.
Project description
Large uncertainties exist about the impacts of climate change on the world’s stock of soil organic carbon, especially the large amounts stored in permafrost soils. Thawing of previously frozen ground may expose this carbon pool to microbial degradation and turn arctic soils from long-term carbon sinks into sources of greenhouse gasses. This project aims to investigate how climate warming and ecosystem processes affect long-term carbon storage in thawing permafrost soils. This PhD-project will focus on the effects of interactions between plants, soil and microorganisms on soil carbon and in particular how these can be predicted across species using functional groups.
Large uncertainties exist about the impacts of climate change on the world’s stock of soil organic carbon, especially the large amounts stored in permafrost soils. Thawing of previously frozen ground may expose this carbon pool to microbial degradation and turn arctic soils from long-term carbon sinks into sources of greenhouse gasses. This project aims to investigate how climate warming and ecosystem processes affect long-term carbon storage in thawing permafrost soils. This PhD-project will focus on the effects of interactions between plants, soil and microorganisms on soil carbon and in particular how these can be predicted across species using functional groups.
We will
combine field manipulation experiments, with more controlled laboratory
and mesocosm experiments, to examine these questions, using techniques
from plant ecology, molecular microbial ecology and biogeochemistry
techniques. The experimental field- and labwork will be performed
mostly in the subarctic tundra near Abisko (north Sweden), at the
research facilities of CIRC, and partly in Alaska and at the University
of Antwerp (Belgium). Supervisors will be Dr. Ellen Dorrepaal,
Professor Reiner Giesler (CIRC, Umeå University) and Dr. James Weedon
(University of Antwerp, Belgium). The expected starting date is 1
January 2014 but this can be negotiated.
Requirements
For this position, we are looking for an ecologist with field experience and an interest in (learning) molecular microbial techniques.
For this position, we are looking for an ecologist with field experience and an interest in (learning) molecular microbial techniques.
The
recruitment process is in accordance with the Higher Education
Ordinance (Högskoleförordningen Chapter 5 and 7). Prerequisites include
either i) 240 ECTS credits (Swe. högskolepoäng) of higher education
studies of which 60 should be on advanced level (Master level), or ii)
120 Swedish (old) credits (Swe. poäng; corresponding to 180 ECTS
credits) of higher education studies if they were taken before July 1,
2007, or equivalent competence.
Education
should include 120 ECTS credits (2 years) biological subject, at least
one course on advanced level in ecology or a similar relevant field as
well as a 15 credit independent project in ecology or a similar
relevant field. The requirements should be met at the time of
acceptance to doctoral studies, not at the time when your application
is submitted. Additional essential requirements for this position are
good knowledge of plant-soil interactions and demonstrated experience
with ecological fieldwork. Strong merits are knowledge of arctic
ecosystems and interest or experience in soil microbiology, molecular
(DNA/RNA) techniques, use of stable isotopes, bioinformatics and
statistics.
The
successful candidate should further have a good ability to communicate
in English, both orally and written, creativity, power of initiative,
independence and good social skills. Evaluations will be based on the
application letter, references, interview and quality of MSc-thesis and
other publications.
Application
The application should include an application letter describing yourself and your match to the abovementioned requirements, your motivation for your application and a short description of your research interests and ideas; a CV including academic grades; a publication list; (electronic) copies of MSc-thesis, scientific publications, exam certificates and other documents supporting your suitability for the position; and contact information for 3 reference persons. The application should be written in English (preferably) or Swedish. The application can be submitted in electronic or hard-copy form. All documents submitted in hard-copy form should be in duplicate, and all electronically submitted material should be in MS Word or PDF format.
The application should include an application letter describing yourself and your match to the abovementioned requirements, your motivation for your application and a short description of your research interests and ideas; a CV including academic grades; a publication list; (electronic) copies of MSc-thesis, scientific publications, exam certificates and other documents supporting your suitability for the position; and contact information for 3 reference persons. The application should be written in English (preferably) or Swedish. The application can be submitted in electronic or hard-copy form. All documents submitted in hard-copy form should be in duplicate, and all electronically submitted material should be in MS Word or PDF format.
Information
For more information, contact Assistant Professor Ellen Dorrepaal, ellen.dorrepaal@emg.umu.se.
Union information is available from SACO, +46-(0)90-786 53 65, SEKO, +46-(0)90-786 52 96 and ST, +46-(0)90-786 54 31.
Documents sent electronically should be in MS Word or PDF format.
Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-862-13, should be sent to jobb@umu.se (state the reference number as subject) or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to arrive October 9, 2013 at the latest.
Further Information Application Deadline : 9 October 2013
Contact Adress:
Contact Email:
Posted on 2013-09-17 04:16:34
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: http://www8.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/313-862-13.html
