[ES_JOBS_NET] 2 year Postdoc - Isotope biogeochemistry in boreal peatlands

[Erika Marín-Spiotta]

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a postdoctoral position
aimed at enhancing our understanding of the relative importance of methane
oxidation in boreal peatlands. The main goal of this project is to use
stable isotopes at natural abundance levels to partition heterotrophic
respiration into CO2 being derived from soil organic matter mineralization
by saprotrophic microbes and methane oxidation by methanotrophic bacteria
across multiple temporal and spatial scales. The successful candidate will
have access to an already established, well instrumented boreal peatland
(Degerö Stormyr; https://www.slu.se/en/departments/field-based-
forest-research/experimental-forests/vindeln-experimental-
forests/degero_stormyr/; https://www.slu.se/en/departments/field-based-
forest-research/experimental-forests/vindeln-experimental-
forests/icos-degero). The project will also take advantage of an already
established experimental setup of automated chambers for measuring
different components of net ecosystem exchange (NEE) and make continuous
measurements of *δ*13C using a cavity-ring down spectroscopy (Picarro
2101-i Analyzer) to quantify the relative importance of methane oxidation
in a boreal peatland.

The position is with the Faculty of Forest Sciences at the Swedish
University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Department of Forest Ecology &
Management, in Umeå, Sweden. Our mission at the Department is to advance
our understanding of forest ecosystem processes and to assist in developing
sustainable forest management practices. The major research focus is on the
boreal landscape, including peatlands, forests and surface waters, but we
also have activities in other biomes. The department has modern technical
facilities, close collaboration with several state-of-the-art technical
platforms at Umeå University and SLU, and is in close proximity to unique
long-term ecosystem experiments and other field sites. For more information,
visit the Department’s webpage: http://www.slu.se/en/
departments/forest-ecology-management/. Thus, the successful candidate will
have access to state-of-the-art instrumentation and will be a member of a
larger, vibrant working group that offers ample possibilities for
scientific interactions and career development.

*Duties: *1) Install, further develop/adapt and be responsible for the
maintenance of the Picarro G2101-i analyzer for field 13CO2 and 13CH4
measurements; 2) Process and analyze data; 3) Publish findings in relevant
high-rank scientific journals. The overall aim of this project is to
accurately quantify the important role methanotrophic bacteria play in CO2
fluxes in a northern boreal peatland; thereby providing a more mechanistic
understanding of how these ecosystem may respond to projected climate
change.

*Qualifications: *We are seeking a highly motivated individual with good
communication skills in English, both orally and written, a strong work
ethic, a team player that works well in a strong research environment. We
are searching for a person with a PhD in environmental sciences,
biogeochemistry or related fields. The successful candidate must also have: 1)
Demonstrated experience with natural abundance stable isotopes, including
the use of mixing models and keeling plots to determine the source *δ*13C
signature of respired CO2; 2) Demonstrated experience with  chamber based
measurements of greenhouse gas fluxes and knowledge of cavity-ring down
spectroscopy. Demonstrate knowledge of peatland biogeochemistry will be
considered an important merit as will advanced skills in handling and
processing large, high-frequency and multiple-source data sets using Matlab
or similar software. The candidate must be able to independently conduct
field work (which requires a valid driver's license).


*Contact and application information*
Persons interested in this position should send a statement of interest
outlining relevant research qualifications (max two pages), a CV, up to
three relevant publications and contact information for three references.
Application should be sent to Niles Hasselquist (niles.hasselquist at slu.se).
For additional information about his position please contact Niles
Hasselquist (niles.hasselquist at slu.se) or Mats Nilsson (mat.b.nilsson at slu.se).


Review of interested candidates will start September 20, and continue until
a suitable candidate has been identified. The position start date is
somewhat flexible but is anticipated to start mid winter, *i.e*.
December-January. The position is for two years and is funded by a Kempe
scholarship.
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