POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW in northern Ecohydrology, 36 months, UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN, Scotland, UK

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN, Scotland, UK

SCHOOL OF GEOSCIENCES, NORTHERN RIVERS INSTITUTE

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW in northern Ecohydrology


APPLICATION deadline: 24th January 2014





The Northern Rivers Institute, School of Geosciences at the University of
Aberdeen invites applications for a Research Fellow. The post forms part
of the £1.3M project "VeWa:Vegetation effects on water flow and mixing in
high-latitude ecosystems" funded by the European Research Council (ERC).
It is anticipated that the position commences in Spring 2014 for a period
of 3 years (with the possibility of extension).



The interdisciplinary project VeWa will address novel questions on
vegetation-water linkages across different spatial scales along a northern
climatic gradient and investigate four experimental sites in three
countries: UK, Canada and Sweden. Such geographically extensive comparison
allows the consistency of processes and drivers to be assessed across
broad spatial scales. The empirical methods will comprise monitoring of
soil physical conditions, vegetation conditions, hydrometric, and
cross-scale tracer approaches. Based on the empirical data, predictive
capabilities of vegetation-water linkages in high-latitude upland
catchments will be developed. The field data will inform multivariate
analysis and modelling studies. Tracer-aided models will be applied to
simulate the dynamics and the fluxes of water into and out of multiple
soil layers. Project partners are Professors Sean Carey (McMaster,
Canada), James Buttle (Trent University, Canada), Hjalmar Laudon (SLU,
Umea, Sweden) and Jeff McDonnell (University of Saskatchewan, Canada)



The post is designed to provide research support in environmental tracer
applications and coupled hydrological /ecohydrological modelling. The
successful candidate will work at the interface between field-based
characterisation of catchment hydrological and ecohydrological processes
and numerical, ecohydrological modeling across scales. The successful
candidate should be exceptional in combining field experimental skills
with strong numerical / computational skills. Experience with programming
in MATLAB, R or another software development tool is essential. Expertise
in remote sensing & data assimilation and / or incorporation of tracers
into hydrological models would be advantageous. The successful candidate
will also coordinate and participate in fieldwork, consisting of the
installation and maintenance of ecohydrological monitoring stations. Other
experience would be expected in one or several of the following
components: conducting fieldwork in remote locations, experience in
working in collaborative research activities, and working well in a team
environment. Strong English language oral and written communication skills
are required. The post is based at the University of Aberdeen but involves
travel to field sites in Canada and Sweden as well. The opportunity offers
significant potential for professional growth and exposure in Europe and
North America.



For informal enquiries or further details, please contact Professor
Doerthe Tetzlaff (d.tetzlaff@abdn.ac.uk <mailto:d.tetzlaff@abdn.ac.uk>; ).



Salary will be at the appropriate point on the Grade 6 salary scale
(£30,424 - £32,267 per annum) with placement according to qualifications
and experience. Consideration will be given to making an appointment at
the Grade 5 Research Assistant level (£25,504 - £28,685) for candidates
who meet the criteria but are in the process of completing their PhD.
Should the PhD be attained during employment the individual would be
promoted to Research Fellow. Should you require a visa to undertake paid
employment in the UK you will be required to fulfil the minimum points
criteria to be granted a Certificate of Sponsorship and Tier 2 visa. As
appropriate, at the time an offer of appointment is made you will be asked
to demonstrate that you fulfil the criteria in respect of financial
maintenance and competency in English.



You need to apply using the online system of the University of Aberdeen:



https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jo...NTFiYWI4N2RmZjM
<https://atsv7.wcn.co.uk/search_engine/jo...iYWI4N2RmZjM>;
=







Professor Doerthe Tetzlaff
<http://www.abdn.ac.uk/geography/profiles/d.tetzlaff/>; , DSc, PhD, MSc

Personal Chair in Hydrology and Landscape Ecology

Director of the Northern Rivers Institute <http://www.abdn.ac.uk/nri>;

School of Geosciences

University of Aberdeen

Aberdeen Scotland, UK AB24 3UF

phone: +(0)1224 273702



Associate Editor Hydrological Processes
<http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/1...alBoard.html>;



ERC (European Research Council) award: "VeWa: Vegetation effects on water
flow and mixing in high-latitude ecosystems
<http://www.abdn.ac.uk/geography/research/vewa/>; "



The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.