POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW in Tropical Plant Ecology School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen
We are offering a post-doctoral position for two years, to experimentally assess seedling drought and shade tolerance of tree species from the Congo Basin, and to identify functional traits predictive of these responses. The position is part of an EU-funded project, CoForChange, lead by CIRAD- Forêt in Montpellier, France. CoForChange has three main objectives: (1) to elucidate whether climate or anthropogenic disturbance is the main determinant of tropical moist forest change in the Congo basin, (2) to project changes in forest characteristics in the Congo basin with global change, and (3) to produce decision-making tools for conservation and sustainable management strategies. CoForChange brings together specialists of remote-sensing, populations and communities ecology, functional ecology, hydrology/climatology, pedology, paleoecology, anthropology and modelling, both from Europe and from Africa. CoForChange will (i) describe past and present patterns of forest characteristics in the Congo Basin; (ii) describe patterns of water availability and anthropogenic disturbance; and (iii) experimentally quantify species drought tolerance and light requirements. We will collate these data to evaluate the respective role of water availability and disturbance for temporal and spatial variability of forest characteristics. We will use that information to predict forest changes under global change, and to produce decision-making tools for conservation and forest management. (A project summary in French can be found on p. 8 of this .PDF file: http://www.agence-nationale- recherche.fr/documents/aap/2008/finances/biodiversa-resumes-2008.pdf) The experimental part of this project (‘Workpackage 4’) is lead by Dr Mike Swaine and Dr Bettina Engelbrecht. The Postdoctoral Fellow will be employed by the University of Aberdeen (with the post funded by NERC) but will be based in Pointe Noire, Republic of Congo (Brassaville). The salary will be paid at £29,704 per annum to start in July 2009. The work will include setting up, managing and analysing two experiments to screen a large number of target tree species for their responses to seasonal drought and to different irradiances. There will also be opportunities to develop your own research. The results will be published in international peer-reviewed journals, and will also be used to inform other Workpackages within the overall project. You will have a PhD in a relevant subject. Experience of working in the tropics and a good working knowledge of French would be significant advantages. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr M.D. Swaine (m.swa...@abdn.ac.uk). Should you require a visa to undertake paid employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship and Tier 2 visa. As appropriate, at the time an offer of appointment is made you will be asked to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of financial maintenance and competency in English. Please do not hesitate to contact Diane Norris, HR Adviser, for further information on this. To apply online for this position visit www.abdn.ac.uk/jobs or alternatively you may request an application pack by emailing your name and contact details to j...@abdn.ac.uk or by telephoning our 24 hour answer service on (01224) 272727 quoting the job reference number YPL057R. The closing date for the receipt of applications is 30th April 2009. Promoting Diversity and Equal Opportunities throughout the University
