POSTDOC IN HIGH LATITUDE FEEDBACKS BETWEEN CLIMATE, FIRE, VEGETATION AND CARBON
Original posting at:
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam is a leading, innovative and growing university that is at the heart of society and actively contributes to new developments in teaching and research. Our university has ten faculties which span a wide range of disciplines, as well as several institutes, foundations, research centres, and support services. Its campus is located in the fastest-growing economic region in the Netherlands (the Zuidas district of Amsterdam), and provides work for over 4,500 staff and scientific education for more than 23,000 students.
At the department of Earth Sciences, we study our dynamic planet from nano- to planetary scale. We quantify the key cycles and interactions in system Earth over timescales from seconds to millions of years by combining fieldwork, lab work and computer simulations. By bringing to bear our fundamental understanding of system Earth and our fresh curiosity we conduct research that is relevant for today’s societal challenges including sustainability, climate change and natural hazards. The department’s research facilities are regarded as outstanding, while the department’s international focus fosters national and international collaboration, both contributing to high-quality and high-impact research outcomes.
Project
This vacancy is part of a prestigious Vidi project funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). The project will combine field work, remote sensing and statistical modeling to study interactions between climate, vegetation and fire in boreal and arctic systems.
Tasks
The postdoc will investigate feedbacks between climate, fire, vegetation and carbon in high latitude ecosystems based on field, remote sensing and modeling approaches. The geographic scope will encompass the entire circumpolar arctic-boreal biomes, and the applicant should therefore be able to handle big datasets efficiently. The applicant should be able to deal with logistical issues and challenging conditions for field campaigns in Siberia. The applicant will closely collaborate with other team members and colleagues, among others from NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment. The research should lead to peer-reviewed publications. The applicant will present the results at national and international conferences, and contribute to teaching courses.
Requirements
• PhD in earth, ecological or environmental sciences or related field but with proven interest in earth sciences and/or (spatial) ecology;
• excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English, knowledge of Russian is advantageous;
• strong scientific motivation, and interest in climate change issues as well as Earth system science;
• hands-on and curiosity-driven, and ability to work independently;
• highly skilled in objected-oriented coding (preferably Python);
• affinity with field work in remote (arctic-boreal) locations;
• good social skills.
Further particulars
The appointment will initially be for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended for a total duration of 3 years. Planned project start is November 1st, 2018 or soon after.
You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl like:
• remuneration of 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance
• solid pension scheme (ABP);
• a minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment;
• generous contribution commuting allowance based on public transport;
• discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance);
• a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.
Salary
We offer a competitive salary package in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, in the position of researcher in salary scale 10, ranging from a minimum of €2640 gross per month up to a maximum of €3303 gross per month based on fulltime employment.
Information
For additional information please contact Sander Veraverbeke by email at s.s.n.veraverbeke@vu.nl
(website: https://sites.google.com/view/sanderveraverbeke/fires-pushing-trees-north). Responses may be slower between July 20 and August 17.
Application
Applicants should send a cover letter with their motivation (maximum 1 page), a research proposal (maximum 2 pages), and CV, as well as the names and contact details of two references before October 1st to f.bosse@vu.nl with the vacancy number in the subject. In the non-binding research proposal applicants should outline what they see as high priority research topics for this position.
Vacancy number: 18273
