Post doctoral research associate in climatology or biogeochemistry

• Europe

Post-doctoral position in CLIMATOLOGY or BIOGEOCHEMISTRY with focus on atmosphere-biosphere surface interactions

BACKGROUND: We are seeking a POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE to strengthen a newly established ERC research team that aims to quantify and understand the role of forest management in mitigating climate change. Specifically, the team wants to challenge the current focus on the carbon cycle and replace it with a total climate impact approach. Hence, the whole forest management spectrum ranging from short rotation coppice to old-growth forests will be analyzed for its effects on the water, energy and carbon cycles. Climate response of forest will be quantified by means of albedo, evapotranspiration, greenhouse gas sources and sinks and their resulting climate feedback mechanisms.

HOME INSTITUTION: Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l'Environnement (LSCE, Gif-sur-Yvette). LSCE is a joint research unit of the Commissariat à L’Energie Atomique (CEA) and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), two major research agencies in France. LSCE employs 90 permanent researchers, 60 technical and administrative staff and over 100 PhD students and post-docs covering 30 different nationalities. Their research mission is to contribute to a better understanding of the interactions between human activities in the Earth System, environment and climate dynamics at different time scales.

LSCE is divided into three research departments, dealing with: tracers in the environment, climate analysis and modelling, and global biogeochemistry. Interactions between these departments create a stimulating intellectual environment. The team, in which the successful candidate will be employed, is interdisciplinary and aims at bringing more and better life sciences into climate and biogeochemistry modelling. In this respect, the team will open new synergies between two out of three departments of the LSCE.

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

The major focus of the position is placed on research and to a lesser extent supervision of research students. The successful candidate will reinforce and widen the expertise of the team while strengthening synergies within the LSCE. Research duties include literature study, data processing, model development (ORCHIDEE), model validation (ORCHIDEE-IPSL; a coupled climate land-surface model), participation in scientific conferences and publication in peer reviewed international journals. The successful candidate will be encouraged to generate external funding in her/his area and as such contribute to further establishing the team. The position is available for up to 5 yrs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the research we are seeking for a highly motivated individual with a Ph.D. and broad interest in natural sciences more specific forest ecology (biogeochemistry, management, ecosystem services), climatology (boundary layer, albedo, roughness length, cloud formation) and their mutual interactions. Rather than for a specific training, we are looking for a candidate who is able to demonstrate her/his ability to publish peer-reviewed papers and communicate in English. Priority will be given to candidates who can demonstrate experience in programming, statistical analysis, manipulating large data sets and nevertheless developed some sense of humor. Of special relevance is proven ability to be dynamic, creative, open and work collaboratively with a team of scientists.

REQUIRED CONTENT OF THE APPLICATION

There are no specified instructions or forms. Applications and inquiries should be sent to Sebastiaan Luyssaert (Sebastiaan.Luyssaert@ua.ac.be). Applications should include a curriculum vitae, statement of research interests and expertise, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references. Position is available from February 1^st 2010 and will remain open until filled with review of applications starting November 1^st. Salary follows national directives and is adjusted for work experience.