Researcher in Climatology or Physical Geography


 The University of Gothenburg tackles society’s challenges with diverse knowledge. 56 000 students and 6 600 employees make the university a large and inspiring place to work and study. Strong research and attractive study programmes attract scientists and students from around the world. With new knowledge and new perspectives, the University contributes to a better future.

The Department of Earth Sciences has about 80 employees. We have Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Earth Sciences and
Geography and third-cycle education. Our strongest research areas lie within climatology, ecosystem sciences, petrology/geochemistry
and applied geoscience. The department's research strategy emphasizes further development of Earth System Science.

Project description

The researcher will join an ongoing project that explores the use of quantitative wood anatomy in reconstructions of past climate variations. Information on how the climate will change in the future is largely based on climate models where skill is judged based on how well they can predict climate variations from relatively short meteorological observations and longer proxy archives, such as tree rings. The link between proxy archives and climate models is currently based on relatively inexact analyses of tree rings and simple statistical transformations of natural archives to climate reconstructions. So far, climate models and climate reconstructions based on tree rings have systematic differences in which the natural archive has comparatively inflated medium and low frequency amplitude than models. We believe that this discrepancy is partly due to inaccurate tree-ring measurements where measurement series are also influenced by the tree's biological memory of the climate. In this ongoing project, we measure anatomical properties of trees that grow in highly temperature-restricted environments and compare and assimilate them with ensembles of climate models. This project combines and integrates skills that take analysis of tree rings to a new level of precision, applies new process-based transformation methods for climate reconstructions, and evaluates the conformity of model and climate reconstructions permeated by a deep understanding of the biological archive.

Duties

The researcher will work on developing and analysing wood anatomical data from living and dead trees of Picea engelmannii from southwestern Canada. This includes dating of the wood material, as well as automatic and manual editing of the cell measurements using the ROXAS program. These data will be studied, among other things, in relation to the trees' age, climate, and measurement resolution. The researcher will be responsible for quality control of data and statistical analyses, as well as the writing of publications in the project that presents the 1000-year long reconstruction of summer temperatures based on the wood anatomical data. In this regard, the researcher is expected to contribute expertise in dendroclimatology, quantitative wood anatomy and wood densitometry, as well as the application of process-based growth modeling in the context of climate reconstructions.

Qualifications

Doctoral degree in a relevant subject area, for example Physical Geography or Climatology. Previous publication of articles as first author in well-established international journals is a requirement. Excellent skills in handling large datasets, statistical analysis, and proficiency in computer programming are required. Previous experience in the analysis of wood anatomical data, proficiency in using the ROXAS editing program, and the ability to place analysis results in a biological and climatological context are crucial. The position requires the applicant to be able to communicate fluently (both in writing and verbally) in English.

Employment

The employment is limited (temporary) for 4 months, 100% of full-time, and is placed at the Department of Earth Sciences. Starting date: 2023-09-01.

Contact information for the post

If you have any questions about the position,  please contact Dr. Kristina Seftigen. Phone:  +46 735-81 75 03, e-mail kristina.seftigen@gvc.gu.se

Unions

Union representatives at the University of Gothenburg can be found here:   
https://www.gu.se/om-universitetet/jobba-hos-oss/hjalp-for-sokande   

Application

The application should include a CV, a certificate of the doctoral degree, and a complete list of publications, including submitted and accepted manuscripts.

Applications must be received by: 2023-06-01

The University works actively to achieve a working environment with equal conditions, and values the qualities that diversity brings to its operations.

Salaries are set individually at the University.

In accordance with the National Archives of Sweden’s regulations, the University must archive application documents for two years after the appointment is filled. If you request that your documents are returned, they will be returned to you once the two years have passed. Otherwise, they will be destroyed.

In connection to this recruitment, we have already decided which recruitment channels we should use. We therefore decline further contact with vendors, recruitment and staffing companies.

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