Post-doctoral Research Fellow in Aquatic-Terrestrial Linkages - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description
The Faculty of Health Science and Technology has an opening for one full-time post-doctoral research fellow at the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences in the field of stream-riparian ecology with focus on the reciprocal interactions and linkages between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. The position is a full time position for 20 months. The starting date for the position is March 1, 2017.

The River Ecology and Management Research Group (NRRV), a research group within the Department of Environmental and Life Sciences at Karlstad University, conducts both basic and applied research in rivers, lakes and the surrounding landscape. The group is interested in the sustainable use of natural resources in watersheds, working for solutions to environmental problems that benefit both society and nature. Areas of research addressed by the research group include river connectivity and the effects of hydropower, aquatic-terrestrial interactions, winter ecology under global climate change, endangered species, conservation biology and social-ecological research relating to river regulation and recreational fishing (www.kau.se/biology/research; nrrv.se). Many research topics are conducted in collaboration with stakeholders from industry, administrative agencies, interest organizations and landowners as well as with the group’s extensive international research network. The group was recently selected as a ‘Strong Research Environment’ by Karlstad University, and has received directed funding to further develop the group’s research profile. This post-doctoral position is part of the strategy to develop the group, focusing on one of the core interests of the research group, and includes collaboration with group members.

Duties
The main duty of the position is to conduct research on aquatic-terrestrial linkages within the stream-riparian ecosystem.

Lotic environments are intimately linked to their adjacent riparian habitats and interactions between riparian and aquatic plants, invertebrates and fish may play a key role for diversity and ecosystem functioning in running waters. Despite a large number of case studies, a comprehensive understanding of the topic, including studies that integrate and quantitatively summarize the available knowledge are still lacking. Additionally, the role of interactions between functional traits of plants, invertebrates and fish for ecosystem processes and in-stream diversity has not been considered in much detail. The current project will include a review/meta-analysis, quantifying the reciprocal interactions among plants, invertebrates and fish at the interface between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and their effects on diversity and ecosystem functioning. In addition, using field and/or laboratory experiments, the postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to study the effects of the functional diversity of plants/animals on reciprocal processes involving aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.

The successful candidates will join a strong and motivated research team to carry out the following tasks:

• Conducting high quality research and producing results
• Coordinating research projects and delivering outputs
• Providing guidance to PhD and MSc students
• Disseminating results through scientific publications
• Assisting in teaching duties
• Participate in the organization of scientific conferences and workshops

Requirements
To be eligible for the position, applicants are required to hold a PhD (or to be completed by March 1, 2017) in ecology or related fields. The candidate must have completed the degree no more than three years before the last date for applications unless special grounds exist.

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required.

Assessment grounds
We are searching for a highly motivated candidate with experience in the fields of plant/animal population or community ecology. In the assessment procedure, we will consider the applicant's scientific experience in stream-riparian ecosystems, research skills as demonstrated by the quality of the applicant’s PhD thesis and other scientific merits and well documented knowledge of statistical analysis tools (such as R) and/or analyses based on databases. Knowledge of functional ecology and northern ecosystems are an advantage. Additionally, interpersonal skills facilitating rapid integration of the postdoctoral research fellow into the research group are important

Karlstad University values personal qualities such as the ability to cooperate and establish good relations with colleagues as well as the ability to work independently and to take initiatives. We also seek gender balance in the workplace.

Terms
The position is a full-time employment for 20 months, with a minimum of 80% for research, and a maximum of 20% for other duties at the university (e.g. teaching). The starting date is March 1, 2017.

The application should include

• Personal letter describing the applicant and her/his research interests in relation to the announced position
• CV with verified copies of degrees, certificates, etc.
• List of completed courses with grades and dates
• Copy of degree projects and other relevant publications or a link to elecronic versions
• Any other documents submitted for consideration
• Reference contact information (at least two) or letter of reference

Application should be submitted electronically via Karlstad University´s web-based recruitment tool MyNetwork with uploaded attachments.

Documents that cannot be sent electronically, should be sent to

Karlstads universitet, Registrator, 651 88 Karlstad, Sweden, state ref.no REK2016/195.