PhD Fellowship in Arctic Ecosystem Dynamics – University of Copenhagen, Denmark

The Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is offering a fully funded PhD fellowship to explore biogeochemical interactions between land and lake ecosystems in the Arctic. This interdisciplinary project aims to investigate the significance of land-lake interactions for high-latitude ecosystems and the carbon cycle, as well as quantify regional greenhouse gas emissions from high-latitude lakes. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work at both the Terrestrial Ecology Section and Freshwater Biology Section, collaborating with field experimentalists and ecosystem modellers.

Project Details:

• Start Date: December 1, 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter.
• Location: Department of Biology, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.

Project Overview:
Approximately 50% of all lakes are located north of 60°N latitude, making them a prominent landscape feature in the Arctic. As the climate warms, lake areas are expected to increase due to the formation of new thermokarst lakes resulting from thawing permafrost. This dynamic alteration of land and lake coverages can influence interactions between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Warming can also enhance the leaching of dissolved organic and inorganic matter from terrestrial ecosystems, introducing new sources of carbon and nutrients into lake ecosystems. However, such interactions are often overlooked in ecosystem models, leading to potential feedbacks from both ecosystems, especially in the rapidly warming Arctic.

The PhD candidate will investigate the importance of land-lake interactions for high-latitude ecosystems and the carbon cycle. The project will involve coupling the dynamic vegetation model LPJ-GUESS with the Advanced Lake Biogeochemistry Model (ALBM), calibration and evaluation based on field-measured variables, and the assessment of how land-lake interactions influence the changing climate.

Qualifications:
Applicants should have a background in freshwater biology, terrestrial ecology, or ecohydrology, with a good understanding of biogeochemical cycling. Experience in process-based ecosystem modeling will be an advantage.

What We Offer:
The PhD candidate will be part of Assistant Professor Jing Tang’s research group, focusing on high-latitude ecosystem dynamics and associated feedbacks under climate change. The candidate will also be affiliated with the Terrestrial Ecology Section, Freshwater Biology Section, and the Center for Volatile Interactions (VOLT), a Center of Excellence funded by The Danish National Research Foundation. The University of Copenhagen provides a creative and stimulating working environment with access to supercomputing resources for model simulations and data processing.

Application Procedure:
To apply, submit your application online by clicking APPLY NOW below. The application deadline is September 15, 2023, 23:59 UCT +1.

Your application must include:

1. Motivated letter of application (max. one page, describing why you want to do a PhD).
2. Your motivation for applying for this particular PhD project.
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills, and other relevant skills.
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science and Master of Science, along with transcripts of records in the original language. If not completed, provide a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor.
5. Publication list, if applicable.

Terms of Employment:

• Employment as a PhD fellow is full-time and for a maximum of 3 years.
• Successful applicants must enroll as PhD students at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen.

Contact Information:
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor, Assistant Professor Jing Tang, at Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology (jing.tang@bio.ku.dk).

Learn More:
For general information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE, visit the PhD School’s website.

Join Our Academic Community:
The University of Copenhagen, part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. The University offers a rich academic tradition and a modern outlook, providing an ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Note:
Please ensure timely submission, as applications received after the deadline will not be considered.