Department of Forest Ecology and Management
Contents
We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to participate the project, ‘Toward a future of wood cities and restored forests—modelling pathways for development of a new forest industry in the tropics’. The position is based at Department of Forest Ecology and Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Umeå and will include close collaboration with The Eco-Innovation Foundation (EIF) based in Stockholm. Our mission is to advance the understanding of forest ecosystem processes and to progress the principles of forest ecosystem management. For more information: http://www.slu.
We propose a novel Wood Building–Forest Restoration system to meet the urgent calls to stop and reverse climate change, biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and inequality and instead transition to a fair and sustainable bio-based economy. We call for future urban growth to be met with modern engineered wood building, and for this new market to drive large-scale forest restoration and emergence of regional forest-based industries. We focus on the Global South, where the majority of urban growth, deforestation, and forest degradation occur. Starting from where we are today (standard concrete building, degraded forests, and small informal wood-processing industries), we must model pathways of coordinated incremental changes across the entire value chain to arrive at the desired end state (wood cities, fully restored natural forests, and prosperous regional wood industries).
Duties:
This is a new area of research in forestry, and we will refine the methodology using Tanzania as a case study. We will (1) assess current forest resources across Tanzania using national inventory data, (2) develop feasible products and production systems using available species and dimensions, (3) model forest dynamics according to proposed harvests and management to encourage growth of desired species, and (4) propose incremental and integrated system development pathways.
The postdoc will be mainly responsible for Parts 1 and 3 (above). Klas Bengtsson (EIF), PhD students and researchers at Sokoine University of Agriculture (Tanzania), and industrial partners will be responsible for Part 2. Researchers at SLU (including the postdoc) and EIF will collaborate to develop pathways for a new forest-based industry in Tanzania.
This project is closely linked with other projects at SLU, EIF, and REFOREST Africa regional PhD school. It offers numerous opportunities to collaborate with industrial and academic partners from diverse fields (ie, architects, wood technology, bio-energy, urban planners), governmental entities (ie, cities, ministries, forest agencies), civil society (ie, WWF-Tanzania), and private companies (ie, sawmills and forestry concessions).
The position will be based at SLU in Umeå, Sweden and will include travel to Tanzania and possibly other East African Countries (when travel is permitted). The postdoctoral researcher will be supervised by Dr. Rosa Goodman in collaboration with Dr. Ulrik Ilstedt and Dr. Gert Nyberg at SLU and Klas Bengtsson, Aaron Kaplan, and Dr. Berty van Hensbergen at EIF. We can currently offer a 2-year contract, but we expect the project to expand rapidly over the coming years. We hope that this position will lead the candidate to further opportunities with the team, inside and outside academia.
Qualifications:
We seek a highly motivated and talented postdoctoral researcher to join the team and lead the work on forest resource assessment and modelling. The candidate should have expertise in data management, forest growth and yield modelling, GIS, and geospatial analysis. Candidates must be able to communicate and write in English, work collaboratively and independently, solve problems, and think creatively. Previous peer-reviewed scientific publications, programming, experience working in Tanzania, and knowledge of Swahili are desirable but not required.
Applicants must have a doctoral degree in forest or environmental sciences, geography, or a related field by the end of the applcication period. As postdoctoral appointments are career-developing positions, we are primarily looking for candidates with a doctoral degree that is a maximum of three years old (excluding parental or sick leave) at the end of the application period—but all exceptional candidates are encouraged to apply.
This postdoc offers a unique opportunity to work with a fun and agenda-setting team on proper save-the-world mission. Please apply if you are intrinsically motivated to be a part of a team, dream big, and work to bring about transformative change.
Place of work:
Umeå
Form of employment:
Temporary employment, 24 months
Extent:
100%
Starting date:
March – May 2021 (flexible)
Application:
We welcome your application no later than 8 February 2021, use the button below.
Interested applicants should submit the following:
- Cover letter demonstrating the applicants motivation and interest in the topic as well as evidence of personal and professional development, innovation, and creative problem-solving (max 2 pages, in English)
- C.V., including the date of disputation (defense), education, employment record, list of published work, languages, hobbies and interests, and names and contact information for three references
- Copies of transcripts of academic records, or a link to/copy of doctoral thesis.
Academic union representatives:
https://internt.slu.se/en/my-
The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) develops the understanding and sustainable use and management of biological natural resources. The university ranks well internationally within its subject areas. SLU is a research-intensive university that also offers unique degree programmes in for example rural development and natural resource management, environmental economics, animal science and landscape architecture.
SLU has just over 3,000 employees, 5,000 students and a turnover of SEK 3 billion. The university has invested heavily in a modern, attractive environment on its campuses in Alnarp, Umeå and Uppsala.
SLU is an equal opportunity employer.
Contact person
The full ad available at:
https://www.slu.se/en/about-
