Two post-doctoral positions in land-atmosphere modeling with a focus on (1) carbon dynamics of land use and land-cover change and (2) climate interactions and forest management.
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 LEnergie Atomique (CEA), the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) and a regional university (UVSQ). CEA and CNRS are 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 creates a stimulating intellectual environment. The teams, in which the successful candidates will be employed, are interdisciplinary and aim at bringing more and better life sciences into climate and biogeochemistry modelling and improving the representation of land-cover dynamics and impacts on the carbon cycle. In this respect, the positions will open new synergies between two out of three departments of the LSCE. DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES Position 1 will conduct research as part of LSCEs involvement in the EU FP7 GEOCARBON research program. The candidate will be involved with model simulations that concentrate on the ORCHIDEE dynamic global vegetation model. Carbon fluxes for forests and pastureland will be tracked from various land-cover change scenarios, and the transformation of carbon from forests to product pools. Satellite remote sensing and land-use statistics (i.e., FAO) will be used within a model data assimilation and benchmarking framework. The position is available for up to 24 months with a possibility of an extension. Position 2 will strengthen an 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. Climate response of forest will be quantified by means of albedo, evapotranspiration, greenhouse gas sources and sinks and their resulting climate feedback mechanisms. The successful candidate will merge and test four new model developments (two biophysical, one biogeochemical and one anthropogenic module) and prepare coupled simulations. The position is available for up to 30 months. The major focus of both positions is placed on research and to a lesser extent supervision of research students. The successful candidates will thus 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 candidates will be encouraged to generate external funding in her/his area and as such contribute to further establishing the team. QUALIFICATIONS Given the interdisciplinary nature of the research we are seeking for highly motivated individuals with a Ph.D. and broad interest in natural sciences, more specifically, forest ecology (biogeochemistry, land 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 and manipulating large data sets. 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 forms. All applications and inquiries should be sent to Sebastiaan Luyssaert ([email protected]), Ben Poulter ([email protected]) and Philippe Peylin ([email protected]). In your cover letter, specify whether the application is for Position 1 and/or Position 2, and include a curriculum vita, a 1-page statement of research interests and expertise, and names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of three references. Position is available three months after selection of the candidate and will remain open until filled. Continuous review of applications starts June 8th, 2012. Salary follows national directives and is adjusted for work experience.
