Postdoctoral researcher, Climate science and eco-hydrology
Job description
Current comprehensive climate models are the only tools to account for the complex set of processes that determine future global climate change, but they differ widely in their climate predictions. These diverging predictions strongly limit the extent to which assessments of ecosystems services, good governance of water systems or adaptation strategies can be implemented. http://www.agci.vu.nl/vacancies).
Dynamic Global Vegetation Models (DGVMs) aim to describe processes and feedbacks, and play a pivotal role in climate models. There is a growing international effort to develop a next generation DGVM in which the quantification of the dynamics and differences of vegetation characteristics ('traits') plays an important role. Parallel to this development, a flourishing field within earth sciences analyses flux tower observations to quantify the exchange of carbon and water between the terrestrial surface and the atmosphere. Global carbon and water dynamics are strongly interlinked. The analysis of global responses of vegetation to soil moisture, derived from Earth Observing satellites could aid identification of global response patterns of carbon uptake to drought. If these lines of research from earth and ecological sciences can be merged, a new field of applications in climate modelling opens up (see also:
This postdoc project aims to establish this link. The objectives are:
1) To test whether the use of a global soil moisture map and vegetation characteristics, as compared to estimates used within the global models, can improve the performance of a next generation DGVM.
2) To compare estimates of measured fluxes of water and carbon as available for various locations around the globe in the Fluxnet database to those modelled by a trait-based DGVM and to those of a current DGVM.
3) To improve the physiological descriptions of hydrological interactions in (trait-based) DGVMs.
Requirements
The successful candidate will have a PhD in ecology, environmental or earth sciences with a background in research on biogeochemical processes and functional relations in ecosystems. Ideally, the candidate would combine knowledge on plant physiology with either earth sciences or ecology. In addition to a strong conceptual understanding, experience with the statistical analysis of large databases as commonly collected in relevant fields of research is essential. The specific research project to be conducted will depend on the interests and expertise of the successful applicant. However, the focus will be on linking plants traits to flux or hydrology data for application in global models. The main criterion for the evaluation of applicants will be scientific excellence as shown by a number of publications in high-impact journals and frequent citations. Selection will be based on the applicant's CV and on the quality of an outline research proposal in the advertised field. Emphasis will also be put on the extent to which the applicant can contribute to the development of interdisciplinary team work within the AGCI, as shown e.g. by experience in participation in multidisciplinary international networks. Excellent communications skills, both in writing and in personal communication, are required. The candidate is expected to contribute to new initiatives to acquire funds for follow-up research under this theme.
Conditions of employment
The initial appointment will be for a period of two years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and depending on experience, range from a minimum of € 2.977,- gross per month (scale 10.5) up to a maximum of € 4.374,- gross per month (salary scale 11) based on a fulltime employment.
Contract type
Temporary
two years
Additional information
| End procedure | 1 June 2011 |
|---|
The initial appointment will be for a period of two years. You can find information about our excellent fringe benefits of employment at
- remuneration of 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday allowance
- solid pension scheme (ABP)
- discounts on collective insurances (healthcare- and car insurance)
The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and depending on experience, range from a minimum of € 2.977,- gross per month (scale 10.5) up to a maximum of € 4.374,- gross per month (salary scale 11) based on a fulltime employment.
For additional information please contact: Prof dr Han Dolman ,Phone number +31 (0) 20 59 87358, E-mail:han.dolman@falw.vu.nl
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