LEDIG STILLING VED NORSK INSTITUTT FOR NATURFORSKNING (NINA)
Postdoctoral position in biogeochemistry and spatial ecology
Deadline: 14.04.2023
Norwegian Institute for Nature Research
NINA is an independent research institute with more than 300 employees. NINA is headquartered in Trondheim, and have research departments in Oslo, Lillehammer, Bergen and Tromsø. We have a wide range of expertise and experience in both natural science and social science research, including how various driving forces affect nature and the interactions between humans and nature. NINA is Norway’s leading research institute in applied ecology and collaborates extensively with other research communities nationally and internationally.
This position will be based at the Department of Terrestrial Biodiversity in Trondheim. The Department of Terrestrial Biodiversity is currently building competence and infrastructure for research in biogeochemistry. We have an open position for a 3-year appointment for modeling of carbon budgets, greenhouse gas emissions and spatial ecology.
The research activities for the 3-year postdoctoral fellow will be conducted as part of the projects FIREPLUG and PEATWAY funded by the Research Council of Norway. FIREPLUG is investigating the potential impacts of the green shift to renewable energy sources from hydroelectric reservoirs, windfarms and solar panel parks. PEATWAY is concentrating on exploring greenhouse gas emissions from restoration strategies for degraded peatland areas. In both projects, the candidate will focus on modelling soil carbon and greenhouse gas emissions from forests, peatlands and other terrestrial ecosystems that are affected by construction and restoration work. In PEATWAY, the candidate will also be responsible for gap filling and upscaling in situ data from project’s study sites and calibrating suitable models for restored peatlands using project’s data.
The research tasks and responsibilities of the position will include:
• Biogeochemical modelling. Modeling of carbon and greenhouse gas budgets in terrestrial ecosystems associated with changes in land use using common soil models such as ECOSSE, DNDC or similar. Gap filling and upscaling greenhouse gas flux data and calibrating existing models using new data.
• GIS modeling. Use of GIS software for modeling spatial data from remote sensing or aerial photography. Modeling changes in land cover and land use change associated with energy development or restoration activities.
• Applications. Models of land use change and carbon stocks will be applied to specific applications in evaluating potential impacts of wind power and solar power development versus benefits of restoration activities for mires and peatlands.
• Research products. The fellow will be responsible for working independently on new spatial analyses and taking a lead role in preparing manuscripts and scientific presentations. Project activities will be integrated with research teams working on related questions. The fellow will assist with communication of project results to stakeholders in environmental groups, industry and government in Norway.
Qualifications and evaluation procedures
The applicants should have completed a PhD in biogeochemistry, spatial ecology or a related field, with evidence of scientific productivity based on peer-reviewed publications or research presentations. We seek applicants with expertise in the general areas of biogeochemistry, spatial modeling, ecosystem science, renewable energy and restoration ecology. Applicants should have experience with programming skills with R or Python needed for processing and visualizing geospatial and ecological data. Experience with ECOSSE, DNDC or a related models for soil carbon dynamics is required.
Applicants should have good communication skills. Proficiency in spoken and written English will be necessary to complete the scientific tasks in the project. Competence in a Scandinavian language is not required but would be an advantage because we are collaborating with stakeholders in Norwegian society. The working language at NINA is Norwegian and language training is available for international scientists. We also seek applicants with good interpersonal skills.
Evaluation of applicants will be based on the application materials, including previous research and work experience that is relevant to the terms of the position, documentation of scientific productivity with publications, presentations or project funding, and evidence of strong personal skills. Applicants who are short-listed for the position will be invited for an interview in person or via a digital meeting. Final selection of candidates will be based on personal qualifications considered relevant for the position and the fit of the candidate’s research expertise to long-term needs in the research capacity at NINA. The successful candidate will be required to take up residence in or near Trondheim.
NINA offers:
• A starting salary based on qualifications and competence.
• A good pension plan and collective life insurance.
• Flexible working hours that can accommodate different schedules.
• Varied and interesting work at a leading research institute for applied ecology.
• Good opportunities for professional development.
• A work and career development plan will be tailored for the candidate to ensure future employment prospects.
An application should contain:
• A cover letter describing the relevance of the candidate’s professional experience as it relates to the terms of the position.
• A curriculum vitae that includes information on education and relevant professional experience, with lists of publications, presentations and research grants.
• Examples of research output that are relevant to the evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications (up to 5 items). Research output can include published articles, technical reports or unpublished manuscripts. All materials will be treated in confidence.
• Contact information for three referees who can comment on the qualifications of the candidate. Candidates will be notified before their referees are contacted.
• The successful candidate will be required to submit certified copies of university transcripts and diplomas.
For NINA, a good working environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply regardless of gender, functional ability, cultural background or if you have been out of work for a period of time. If necessary, the workplace will be adapted for people with disabilities.
NINA's everyday language is Norwegian, and language training is provided.
For more information about NINA, please see www.nina.no.
