PostDoc position on modelling land biosphere dynamics - IMBE, Aix-en-Provence, France

PostDoc position on modelling land biosphere dynamics

The Mediterranean Institute for Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE, Aix-Marseille University, Aix-en-Provence, France), in its research group "Macroecology and Biogeography of Global Change (MacroBio)" has a PostDoc position open for applications. The post has a duration of 36 months, the initial contract is made for 18 months, being extended based on an assessment of performance. The position is funded by the European Commission through the FP7 Research Project LUC4C and affiliated to the French National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS).

The main topic is to improve the way LULCC processes are represented in the DGVM LPJmL through enhanced soil and vegetation process representation. Work should improve the model's capacity to project climate-LULCC interactions for the computation of net climate effects, and ecosystem services. One focus is on the representation of diverse agricultural management systems, cropland abandonment/afforestation and forest management, in order to develop ways to account for their effects on biochemical cycles and biophysics.

The PostDoc will also contribute to the actual assessment of indirect effects and trade-offs of LULCC. The team will look into the indirect effects of land-based mitigation options for climate change, and the interplay with climate change, across and within regions.

The successful candidate will have completed a doctorate in one of the environmental sciences. Substantial earth system modelling and programming skills are required, familiarity with highly modular C-code. Experience with Dynamic Global Vegetation Models will be a great advantage. The working language is English.

We will begin interviewing suitable candidates after December 1, 2014. The position will be filled when a suitable candidate has been identified. To apply for this position, please send a letter of application, demonstrating your ability to understand the task, and your CV as soon as possible, but before the 31st of January 2014, by e-mail to Ms. Gabriela Boéri (Gabriela.Boeri@imbe.fr). For any questions about the task, working conditions, or the LUC4C project, please contact Dr Alberte Bondeau (alberte.bondeau@imbe.fr)..

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Cramer
Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie marine et continentale (IMBE)
Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, Avignon Université, Technopôle Arbois-Méditerranée
Bât. Villemin – BP 80, F-13545 Aix-en-Provence cedex 04, France
Tel. +33-4-42-90-84-86, www.imbe.fr/wolfgang-cramer, ResearcherID: B-8221-2008, Follow @wolfgangcramer