Umeå University, Faculty of Science and Technology

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

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We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher in ecology that will work with the importance of climate and herbivory for vegetation composition in the Arctic in time and space. More specifically, we will analyze the relationships between plant traits and how the plants respond to herbivory and warming. The project is a part of the international Biodiversa project called “Future ArcTic Ecosystems (FATE)”. The deadline for application is January 10, 2020, and the position is expected to start February 1, 2020 or according to agreement.

Project description and working tasks
In this project we will investigate contemporary effects of herbivore populations and climate change on Arctic vegetation and, in collaboration with other researcher in FATE, provide that in a form that can be used for interpreting the drivers of past ecosystem changes. The project will take advantage of already collected data from exclosures that have excluded large herbivores throughout the Arctic, and expand this data base to also include natural experiments like management fences that have sustained contrasting grazing regimes for up to a century. More specifically we will use this contemporary data alongside statistical modelling to evaluate how herbivores contribute to vegetation changes observed in the analysis of the paleoecological data. Part of the data analyses will be done in collaboration with Aarhus University, Denmark. The postdoc is expected to conduct fieldwork, analyse data and write scientific papers within the subject of the project presented above. The position is full time for two years and placed at Department of Ecology and Environmental Science, Umeå University.

Qualifications
Successful candidates should have a PhD in ecology or a related field. To be eligible for this position, you should have completed your doctoral degree a maximum of three (3) years before the end of the application period, unless special circumstances exist. We seek a creative and highly motivated person with a strong publication record, strong statistical modelling skills, and good oral and written communication skills in English. You should be able to work both independently and in collaboration with others.

Prior experience of working with effects of herbivores on vegetation, Arctic ecosystems or climate niche modelling is regarded as merits.

Application
Your application, written in Swedish or English, should include:

  • A personal cover letter including a description over why you are interested in this position and how you can contribute to the research group (max two pages).
  • CV including list of publications.
  • A copy of your PhD thesis and relevant publications (max five pages).
  • A copy of doctoral degree certificate and other relevant degree certificates.
  • Names and contact details of three reference persons.
  • Other documents you wish to claim.

The application is made through our electronic recruitment system. Documents sent electronically must be in Word or PDF format. The closing date is January 10, 2020.

Contact
Questions regarding the project or employment is directed to, Johan Olofsson, Associate professor: johan.olofsson@umu.se

The Department of Ecology and Environmental Science carries out research and postgraduate education in ecology, environmental science and physical geography. The department has about 150 employees, about 20 of whom are post-docs. Please visit www.emg.umu.se for more information.

Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Full time
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-1894-19
Contact
  • Johan Olofsson, universitetslektor, 090-7867704
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-786 53 65
  • SEKO, 090-786 52 96
  • ST, 090-786 54 31
Published 02.Dec.2019
Last application date 20.Jan.2020 11:59 PM CET

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