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Netherlands : PhD Researcher in Climate Physics

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Vegetation processes and soil moisture are known to influence the climate by modifying the radiative, momentum and hydrologic balance of the land surface; the climate system will affect, in turn, the land surface. A key element in understanding vegetation-climate feedbacks is the development of models that can accurately predict (and give mechanistic insights into) the responses of vegetation characteristics and associated processes to climate. Important vegetation feedbacks in this respect are whole-canopy transpiration (through its effect on overall evapotranspiration), photosynthesis (through its effect on atmospheric CO2 levels) and surface albedo. These processes in turn are primarily determined by a number of characteristics of the vegetation, including its leaf area index (amount of leaf area per unit soil area), rooting depth (accessibility to soil water) and the vertical distribution of leaf photosynthesis and transpiration within the vegetation. These characteristics can be considered an adaptation to the local climate, but also have an effect on the local or regional water or energy balance. In this project the PhD will use a combination of detailed mechanistic biological models coupled to a hierarchy of climate (atmosphere) models to study these vegetation-climate feedbacks.

The PhD at IMAU will work on vegetation-climate feedbacks in close collaboration with researchers from the institute for environmental biology (IEB) and KNMI. The PhD is responsible for the climate modelling part within the project and the interpretation of the results in connection with observations. The work will be focussed on the coupled atmosphere-vegetation interaction and the mechanisms of multiple vegetation patterns.

Qualifications

Candidates should hold a degree in (geo)-physics, atmospheric sciences, or related natural sciences, should have a good knowledge of climate physics and preferably have experience with climate modeling.

Terms of employment

We offer a fulltime temporary appointment for four years. Your gross salary starts with € 2,042.- per month in the first year and increases to € 2,612.- per month in the fourth year of employment. The salary is supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8% of annual salary and an end-of-year bonus of 8,3% per year. In addition we offer: a pension scheme, a partially paid parental leave and other flexible employment conditions. The employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities.

Further details

Further information about this position can be obtained from Prof. dr. ir. H. A. Dijkstra, (+31-30-253 5441, H.A.Dijkstra@uu.nl) and Prof. dr. B. van den Hurk (+31-30-2206 338, hurkvd@knmi.nl).

For more information about The Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht, please vsit the IMAU website.

How to apply

Applications, including a curriculum vitae can be submitted to the Personnel Department, Faculty of Science, P.O. Box 80010, 3508 TA Utrecht, the Netherlands or submit by e-mail to: Science.PenO@uu.nl. Please mention the vacancy number 63002.

Deadline for applications is 15 March 2010.

Application Deadline : 15 March 2010

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Posted on 2010-01-31 05:13:59

The announced deadline for above scholarship is expired and new applications may no longer be accepted. The notice is available for reference purpose only.

Please give reference of Scholarships-Links.com when applying for above scholarship.

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