PhD Fellow in Land Change Science
segnalato da Pierluigi Paris
The Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Faculty of Science at University of Copenhagen is offering a PhD scholarship in land change science commencing 01.05.2014 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The position will contribute to the EU-FP7-funded project “Agroforestry that will advance rural development (AGFORWARD)”. The project offers unique opportunities for interdisciplinary cooperation around agroforestry systems in Europe within a group of researchers from 27 partner institutions.
The PhD project aims to analyze the driving forces of land-use change and their impacts on the provision of ecosystem services in various agroforestry systems in Europe. With space for pursuing individual interests, the PhD project will:
- contribute to a synthesis of the existing knowledge on the drivers of land-use change in European agroforestry systems
- identify the causal chain of land-use dynamics in agroforestry systems by evaluating existing data from various sources
- analyze the impacts of these land-use changes on a set of ecosystem services at landscape scale
Principal supervisor is Associate Professor Tobias Plieninger, Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, E-mail: tobias.plieninger@ign.ku.dk, Direct Phone: (+45) 353 36782.
Job description
Your key tasks as a PhD student at Science are:
• Performance of a research project, including fieldwork
• Writing of scientific articles and a PhD thesis
• Project coordination and management
• Attendance of PhD courses and congresses
• Teaching and dissemination of research
Key criteria for the assessment of candidates
Applicants are expected to have key competences in land change science, landscape ecology, and ecosystem services assessments. Experience in communication with local actors in the land-use sector (e.g., farmers, conservation groups) and in work in an international and interdisciplinary team is an advantage. GIS and statistical skills and experiences with landscape ecological fieldwork and analysis are expected. The following key criteria will be used in the assessment of candidates:
• A master’s degree related to land change science and the grade point average achieved
• Knowledge of existing concepts and methods to assess agroforestry systems, land-use change and ecosystem services
• Relevant work experience and other professional activities
• English language skills
• Previous publications
• Quality of a short outline (1 page) of how the applicant expects to approach the ph.d. project
Formal requirements
The position is available for a 3-year period for applicants holding a relevant master’s degree or for a 4-year period for applicants who are already enrolled or are accepted to be enrolled at one of the Faculty’s master’s programmes. At the time of commencement, applicants for the 4-year period must have approximately one year of study remaining before graduating from their MSc programme.
Terms of employment
The position is covered by the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff. Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The starting salary is currently at a minimum DKK 304,000 including annual supplement (+ pension up toDKK 42,000). Negotiation for salary supplement is possible.
Application Procedure
The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking the Application URL.
Please include
• Cover letter, describing your research interests and ideas, motivation and background
• Outline (1 page) of a possible approach to the ph.d. project
• CV
• Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc)
• Other information for consideration, e.g. list of publications
• Names and contact information of one to three references
• Documentation of English language qualifications, cf. general rules and guidelines, p. 5
The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Executive Order no. 1039 of 27 August 2013 (http://www.science.ku.dk/english/research/phd/student/filer/Engelsk_-ph.d.-bekendtgrelse.pdf/). The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. By the end of April 2014, all applicants will have received information regarding the evaluation of their application.
The deadline for applications is 14.02.2014.
