PhD Research Fellow in Ecosystems Ecology

Through robust and close interaction with the world around us – globally, nationally and locally – we shall be instrumental in building a society based on knowledge, skills and attitudes.

Do you want to take part in shaping the future?

The Department of Biological Sciences (BIO) has a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Ecosystems Ecology, focussing on the role of habitat and ericoid mycorrhizal interactions in the carbon dynamics of ericaceous and other dwarf- shrubs under global change. The position is for a fixed term of of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with compulsory other work (e.g. teaching duties at the Department). The position is subject to external funding under the project “The underappreciated roles of dwarf-shrubs in responding to and influencing global climate change” (DURIN) funded by the Research Council of Norway and the University of Bergen. See https: // betweenthefjords.w.uib.no/durin/ for a description of the project and tasks.

Dwarf-shrubs are a dominant plant functional group across the boreal, arctic, and alpine biomes, and they play important roles for biodiversity, ecology and ecosystem functioning in the habitats in which they occur. For example, dwarf- shrubs provide important food resources for grazers, pollinators and people, and habitat for other plants, insects, rodents, and birds. Through interactions with belowground fungal networks (ericoid mychorriza), they play critical roles in carbon sequestration and long-term carbon storage in soils, suggesting that dwarf-shrubs may play a critical role in feedbacks from land to the climate system.

DURIN will explore the role of dwarf-shrubs in climate responses and feedbacks across biomes and habitats in Norway, integrating plant physiology, ecology, and ecosystem science. Using distributed observational systems, field experiments, and growth chamber studies, we will obtain fundamental knowledge on how climate change directly and indirectly affects this important plant functional group, and its ecosystem functions and services. This improved process understanding will be integrated in land surface and earth system models to understand the role and contribution of dwarf-shrubs in the feedbacks from terrestrial vegetation to the climate system.

The PhD Research Fellow will be working within WP3 (Ecosystem functioning). This WP uses field and controlled-environment experiments to study the impact of climate, and open vs. forested habitats in different environments (alpine, arctic coastal), along with the role of variation in plant functional traits and ericoid mycorrhiza association, on ecosystem functioning, focusing on carbon (C stocks and dynamics, growth, and decomposition). The candidate will, for example:

Field work is a team effort, and applicants must be prepared to contribute to common aspects of field work and assist others with their projects in addition to working on their own research program.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year, consisting of 25 % compulsory work (e.g. teaching responsibilities at the department) distributed over the employment period. The 4th year is contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the head of department upon appointment.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training

As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

For further details about the position, please contact Professor Vigdis Vandvik, +47 47301794. For HR related matters, please contact Mathilde Høgalmen.

The state labour force shall reflect the diversity of Norwegian society to the greatest extent possible. People with immigrant backgrounds and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply for the position

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.

The University of Bergen is a renowned educational and research institution, organised into seven faculties and approximately 54 institutes and academic centres. Campus is located in the centre of Bergen with university areas at Nygårdshøyden, Haukeland, Marineholmen, Møllendalsveien and Årstad.

There are seven departments and several centres at Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Read more about the faculty and departments.

21st January 2023

University of Bergen

Bergen

Fulltime (1 positions) Fulltime (%)

Fixed Term

Institutt for biovitenskap