Postdoc in modelling of weed population dynamics and competition
at Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), in Uppsala, Sweden
The mission of the Department of Crop Production Ecology is to investigate, identify and develop sustainable agro-ecosystems, with the aim of improving productivity and sustainability of food, feed and fuel crops, as well as cropping systems. Expertise in various disciplines (soil science, ecology, plant physiology, statistics, meteorology, computer simulation) is integrated to address these research tasks. Research on weed biology and weed control focuses on risk assessments, population dynamics and effective strategies for indirect and direct weed control in current and future cropping systems.
Duties: You will be working in a project with the aim to optimize the effects of cultivation practices on weed population dynamics. Using black-grass (Alopecurus myosuroides) as a model species, you will be developing a hierarchy of models to explain and predict the effect of strategies based on integrated weed management of annual weeds. There is a unique possibility to use data from a recently started long-term experiment as a main base for the model. Data from other on-going and earlier experiments in the field and under controlled conditions will also be available. Although using A. myosuroides as model species, the models, thanks to their process-based nature, aim at being widely applicable to other plant competition scenarios in the field of weed control. The project is conducted in close collaboration with the Department of Biosystems and Technology, SLU,Alnarp, and the department of physics, chemistry and biology (IFM) at Linköping University. In addition, a reference group of dedicated stakeholders is linked to the project.
Qualifications: We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in plant ecology, plant biology or other topics that are relevant to the position and who has very good knowledge of and proven experience in model development within plant biology or plant ecology. The doctoral degree should not be older than three years at the time of application. Very good English communication and writing skills are required. Good scientific qualifications and good knowledge of agricultural science is an advantage. Since the work is associated with many contacts both within and outside SLU, we attach great importance to your personal characteristics in terms of ability to cooperate and ability to work in an independent, systematic and structured way.
Place of work: Uppsala
Form of employment: Two years as postdoctor.
Extent: 100%
Starting date: By agreement.
Application: We welcome your application marked with Ref no. SLU ua 1874/2015.
Please submit your application to the Registrar of SLU, P.O. Box 7070, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden or registrator@slu.se no later than June 30, 2015.
Specific documents attached: CV including a list of publications, a description of previous research area and current research interest, the doctoral degree certificate and letters of recommendation from two reference persons with contact information.
SLU is an equal opportunity employer.
