A four-year PhD position is available at the Dept. of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå:
PhD position in forest restoration for biodiversity Habitat and species loss in forest ecosystems has become a major issue in conservation biology. Swedish forestry is one of the most intensive and technically developed in the world, which has resulted in declining populations of many forest organisms. To maintain biodiversity it is no longer possible to rely on passive conservation measures. An increase of the protected forest area in combination with ecological restoration measures are needed to fulfill environmental goals for forest biodiversity. The aim of this project is to evaluate biodiversity effects and cost efficiency of two different restorations methods developed for low-quality forest set-asides: 1) Prescribed burning and 2) selective cutting combined with dead wood creation to emulate gap-dynamics. We will evaluate how these two restoration methods, compared with stands left for free development, influence a variety of organism groups (e.g. insects, fungi, lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants and mammals), with the successful applicant for this position focusing on insects. The project is conducted in close collaboration with several researchers at SLU and Umeå University and with the Swedish forestry company Holmen. The study is part of the research programme Future Forests (www.futureforests.se) and is further described at www.slu.se/viltfiskmiljo/biocore. The four-year PhD position includes, planning and performing fieldwork in the experimental forests, data analyses, writing scientific manuscripts, participation in courses, and presentations at seminars and conferences. The PhD-student may also get the opportunity to do some undergraduate teaching Qualifications Applicants for the PhD position should have a solid ecological background, for example a MSc degree (at least one year) in Biology or Forestry or equivalent (see also http://www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/new-phd-student/ for more information). Proficiency in English (both spoken and written) and a driving license are required. Knowledge of and interest in ecological field studies, GIS, scientific writing, statistical analyses, and forestry-intolerant organisms (insects in particular) are valuable merits. More information on application formalities etc is found at http://www.slu.se/en/education/postgraduate-studies/new-phd-student/read-more/?Uid=760
