We are searching for a postdoctoral researcher to study how biodiversity
can provide resilience against global environmental change in
agro-ecosystems. Specifically, the project will address how multiple
invertebrate predators can contribute to resilient biological pest
control under a changing climate and land-use. The successful candidate
will enter a strong multi-disciplinary, international research
environment addressing topical basic as well as applied ecological
research questions. The project includes close collaboration with
researchers at SLU, the University of Darmstadt, Germany and Ursinus
College, USA.
The Department of Ecology conduct research for sustainable agriculture,
forest production and biological conservation. Our basic research on
populations, communities and ecosystems forms the foundation for
understanding influences of land use and climate on animals, plants and
soil nutrient status and greenhouse gas balance. Solutions are sought
that will mitigate climate change, preserve threatened species, benefit
biological diversity and ecosystem services and control pests in managed
agricultural, forested and urban landscapes. Active dissemination,
outreach and frequent contacts with stakeholders are key activities. We
build on extensive national and international research collaborations to
generate cutting-edge research and outreach to further ecology as
science and promote sustainable agriculture (see e.g.
http://www2.ekol.slu.se/ecoservices and
http://www.slu.se/en/Collaborative-Centres-and-Projects/centre-for-biological-control-cbc/).
*Duties:*
The postdoctoral researcher is expected to analyse already available
data, and perform new experiments to study how the diversity of
invertebrate predators contributes to stability of biological control
under climate and land-use change. The successful candidate is expected
to analyse: 1) the level of redundancy in empirically described
aphid-predator food-webs, 2) study how the response diversity of
predator communities varies with land-use, and 3) conduct laboratory
mesocosm experiments to compare the climate resilience of aphid
biological control by predator communities with different response
diversity. The successful candidate is expected to take an active part
in developing the project and designing experiments, to independently
coordinate the empirical work and analyze the collected data, and to
write scientific publications in collaboration with the research team.
The successful candidate will also assist in the supervision of
students, engage in lab activities and communicate with stakeholders.
*Qualifications:*
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate pursuing a research
career in ecology and with an interest in biodiversity and plant
protection. The required qualification for the position is a PhD in
ecology, or equivalent. Documented expertise in statistical analyses is
required. Experience in community ecology, food-web ecology and insect
ecology is meriting, as is experience of ecological field and lab work.
The candidate is expected to be capable and willing to take initiative
and work independently as well as in a team. The candidate should have
documented skills in scientific writing. Excellent communication skills
in English (both written and oral) are required.
As postdoctorial appointments are career-developing positions for junior
researchers, we are pirmarily looking for candidates with a doctoral
degree that is three years old at most.
*Place of work:*Uppsala
*Form of employment: *Temporary employment as postdoctoral researcher
for 2 years.
*Extent:*100%
*Starting date:*May 2017 or by agreement
*Application:*We welcome your application marked with *Ref no. SLU ua*
*728/2017*.
Please submit your application to the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070,
SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden or [email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]> no later than *March 27, 2017*.
Specific documents attached:
(1) CV with a complete list of publications separated into peer reviewed
and non-peer reviewed articles, (2) certified PhD diploma, (3) a
description of previous research and other activities relevant for the
position (e.g. teaching or extension), and a description of specific
research interests (maximum two pages), and (4) names and contact
information of at least two persons providing references for the
applicant. We would appreciate applications to be submitted in English.
SLU is an equal opportunity employer.
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the
understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural
resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject
areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique
degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource
management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape
architecture.
SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK
3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive
environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.
www.slu.se <http://www.slu.se/>
*Further information:*
* Mattias Jonsson, Researcher, [email protected]
internt.slu.se/en/cv-originals/mattias-jonsson/
<http://internt.slu.se/en/cv-originals/mattias-jonsson/>
*Academic union representatives:*
· Saco-S föreningen SLU, SACO, +46 (0)18 67 10 85
· Linda Thörnström , SEKO, +46 (0)18 67 10 57
· Lotta Olsson, ST, +46 (0)18 67 15 36
