2010 Postdoctoral Position In Climate Impact – Sweden
The Main Aim Of Postdoctoral Position Is To Develop Ecological-Economic Models At Sweden In 2010
Description:
The aim of this project is to develop ecological-economic models for evaluating the implications of climate change and different governance options for agricultural land use decisions and associated supply of ecosystem services a number of decades into the future. Agent Based Modelling (ABM) is proposed as a platform for bringing natural and social science understanding of climate change and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services together within a common and explicit modelling framework. An important aspect of the project will be developing methods for the validation of landscapes generated by ABM and controlling model uncertainty. The project has direct links to agriculture, forestry, nature conservation and climate policy, and brings together scientists from several different disciplines. The position is hosted at the Centre for Environment and Climate Research (CEC) at Lund University, and the work will be performed in close collaboration with scientists at AgriFood Economics Centre, and the Departments of Earth and Ecosystems Modelling, Biology and Political Science.The research will focus initially on incorporating climate change effects and forestry activities in an ABM of regional agricultural land use change. An ecosystem model, e.g. the LPJ-GUESS framework, will be used to determine how climate change might affect growing conditions and generation of agricultural and forest production and other ecosystem services in the future. This will provide a basis for including new or modifying existing production activities (e.g. new crops, switching between agriculture and forestry, etc.) in the ABM. The extended model will then provide a tool for applications (in collaboration with other CEC scientists) such as:
? Develop methods for calibrating and validating landscapes generated by ABMs, e.g. a) establishing whether studies of past land-use change processes could be useful in the context of agent-based modelling of land use change, b) using ABM as a new tool for researcher-stakeholder dialogue and/or c) characterizing uncertainty and limiting propagation of error in integrated assessment of climate change.
? Simulate farmers? responses to climate change and the implications of radical climate and biodiversity targets for the agricultural sector.
? Develop and evaluate policy recommendations in response to climate change on the basis of knowledge of the complex governance processes surrounding climate policy.The successful candidate is expected to be involved in several multidisciplinary research projects within the BECC programme. The candidate will also take part in and organizing seminars and workshops at the Centre for Environmental and Climate Research (CEC).
Qualifications:
We are looking for someone who has completed a Ph.D. in which you have developed strong mathematical or computer modelling skills, and have an ambition to apply your skills to solving environmental and natural resource management problems. Ideally, you have a background in environmental and natural resource economics, agricultural economics or related fields (e.g., ecology, natural resource management, environmental science, geography, but with economic training). An interest in bridging economics and ecology is essential.To be eligible for an appointment a person must have successfully completed a PhD degree or have corresponding scientific competence in a relevant subject area. A person who holds a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent to a doctorate shall be qualified for appointment. Priority will be given to candidates who have completed their degree no more than three years before the last date for applications. Candidates who have completed their degree earlier than this should receive equal priority if special grounds exist, for example documented leave of absence because of illness or parental leave.The main criteria for the evaluation of applicants will be scientific skills. Emphasis will also be put on the extent to which the applicant can contribute to the development of the BECC programme and the establishment of CEC. Documented experience of collaboration will also be regarded as a merit. Excellent written and verbal communications skills required as well as the desire to take the lead in multidisciplinary team work. Documented experience in communicating research to society is also a merit.
Address:
Tel: +46 (0)46 222 0000 Fax: +46 (0)46 222 4720
Box 117, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden
Paradisgatan 2, Lund, Sweden
Last Date To Apply:1December2010
Source:http://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/o.o.i.s?id=24914&Dnr=355672&Type=EU
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