TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS AVAILABLE IN ECOSYSTEM AND BELOWGROUND ECOLOGY The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) at Umeå invites applications for the two following post-doctoral positions: (1) ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY (Ref # SLU ID ua 3136/2010) (2) BELOWGROUND ECOLOGY (Ref # SLU ID ua 3137/2010) The positions are both fully financed for two years and will be based in the Department of Forest Ecology and Management at Umeå, Sweden.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ECOSYSTEM ECOLOGY POSITION (Ref. # SLU ID ua 3136/2010). The project will focus mainly on field locations in subalpine forested areas of western Sweden, which includes some areas that have historically been impacted by indigenous Sami inhabitants for more than 500 years (but which are no longer inhabited) and other areas that have never been impacted by Sami people. The main project that the postdoctoral researcher will work on involves exploring how historical habitation and land use in these mountains by Sami (in areas that are often currently presumed to be ‘natural’) may have long term effects on ecosystem functioning both aboveground and belowground that are still apparent in the present day landscape. In addition to this work, the researcher will have opportunities to perform some fieldwork exploring belowground ecology and aboveground-belowground linkages in New Zealand and/or Australia during the northern winter. The intended start date is April 2011, although there is some flexibility around this. DESCRIPTION OF THE BELOWGROUND ECOLOGY POSITION (Ref. # SLU ID ua 3137/2010). The project will involve studying belowground ecology and aboveground-belowground linkages in boreal forests and subarctic tundra in northern Sweden. We are especially interested in appointing a researcher who has expertise in any one of the following areas: (1) ecology of plant litter decomposition, (2) ecology of soil invertebrates (notably microarthropods and/or nematodes) and/or soil food webs, or (3) plant-soil interactions and feedbacks. However, strong candidates focusing on belowground ecology but specializing in other aspects will also be seriously considered. The scope of the project work is deliberately broad, and will be adapted to suit the specific interests of the researcher that is appointed. However, it is intended that the researcher works on study systems and questions that are actively studied by our group; examples include the belowground consequences of fire in boreal forests, the ecological role of fire-derived charcoal, aboveground and belowground changes across chronosequences, and impacts of elevation and vegetation type in subarctic tundra. A fuller description of the group’s work is given on www.seksko.se/goto.php?link=vegeco. In addition to this work, the researcher will have opportunities to perform some fieldwork exploring belowground ecology and aboveground-belowground linkages in New Zealand and/or Australia during the northern winter. Depending on the candidates that we attract, we may make two appointments for this position. The intended start date is April 2011, although there is some flexibility around this. Applications for each of these positions should include a curriculum vitae including a full list of publications, a brief description of research interests, and a list of at least two references familiar with the applicant's work. Qualifications: The qualification for these positions is a PhD in Biology, Ecology or Forestry, preferably completed in the previous three years. Further information is available from Professor David Wardle, Department of Forest Ecology and Management, SLU, Umeå, e-mail: david.war...@svek.slu.se Applications, marked with Ref No SLU ID ua 3136/2010 (Ecosystem Ecology position), or with Ref. No SLU ID ua 3137/2010 (Belowground Ecology position) must arrive at the Registrar of SLU either by post (P.O. Box 7070, S- 750 07, Uppsala, Sweden) or by E-mail (registra...@slu.se) no later than 15 November 2010. If you are applying for both positions, you will need to send in two separate applications.
