PhD Position
‘Global change and Animal movements – Towards a socio-ecological predictive framework’ (Applications are closed now)
Link to SLU page
Project Background
Global change encompasses environmental, social, economic and demographic changes on planet earth. Animals are an important component of the natural world due to their crucial ecological, social, and economic role in ecosystems. Global changes driven by resource extraction, energy and infrastructure development, climate change and urbanization are dramatically affecting animal populations and their movements resulting in challenges for management, driving human wildlife conflicts as well as hindering the sustainable development and use of natural resources. In such transformed landscapes, the vital questions are, ‘how’, ‘where’, ‘when’ and ‘why’ do animals move and how do these altered movements transform the landscapes as well as human societies (ecologically, socially and economically) that depend upon these animals? Moreover, how can we better predict animal movements under ‘multiuse-landscape’ and ‘climate change’ scenarios? Using case studies of two large mammal species (reindeer and moose) that are ecologically, socially and economically important in the northern/arctic ecosystem, the project aims to answer these questions. The goal is to develop a socio-ecological movement modelling approach that goes beyond correlative or species distribution models and provides a predictive tool that can be used in developing diverse future land use scenarios, developed with and for community users and geared toward adaptation strategies in a changing world.
The PhD position will be part of the Research Centre of Excellence Resources, Extractive Industries and Sustainable Arctic Communities (REXSAC), financed by NORDFORSK (the Nordic research board).
Requirements
We seek a candidate with a strong quantitative and modelling background in ecology, advanced skills in statistics and data analyses are almost essential as vast amount of data is already collected. A master degree in quantitative ecology or biology is desirable, or otherwise, those with a master in general ecology or biology may also apply and demonstrate their quantitative abilities. Candidates who do not have a quantitative background are not encouraged to apply. The candidate should be able to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment, and have a good level of autonomy and creativity. A good knowledge of spoken English and writing skills are essential. Knowledge of Swedish and/or Sami is a plus. The expected start of the position is 1st October 2016. The place of work will be the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Umeå, with occasional trips to the field site in northern Sweden.
Contacts
For additional queries about the project or related information, please email or call. E-mails should be sent to navinder.singh@slu.se, goran.ercisson@slu.se or ninis.rosqvist@natgeo.su.se. The deadline for the applications is 1st September 2016.
Please send the application following the guidelines at SLU page.
Master Thesis Projects
(Please email for further information on these projects)
- Population performance of a large herbivore across a latitudinal gradient
- Population performance with respect to movement strategies and land use across a latitudinal gradient
- Ecosystem impacts of partial migration- a cross taxonomic comparison
- Flight behaviour of Golden eagles in response to wind farms
- Relative role of life history and land use in determining movement strategies of Golden eagles.
Licentiate Position (likely to be turned into a PhD)
Interviews in Progress.
Beyond Moose: ecology and management of multispecies ungulate systems
Sweden’s ungulate communities have changed dramatically, resulting from active introductions (e.g., fallow deer) and from range expansion due to milder winters (e.g., wild boar). We lack a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of these novel diverse ungulate communities in landscapes modified by humans. The aim of Beyond Moose is to understand how ungulate species in these communities interact and how these interactions affect their impact on the landscape and the performance of individuals and populations of these species. This feeds into the international discussion on how to manage increasing ungulate communities and their populations throughout Europe and North America.
For more information about the program, please visit: http://www.wildliferesearch.se/beyond-moose.html
The position is for 2 years and should result in a licentiate thesis, which is a degree halfway the PhD degree. After these 2 years, the licentiate may be continued with another 2 years to result in a PhD thesis, provided that the program receives follow-up funding. The successful candidate will quantify the impact of multispecies ungulate systems on forestry, agriculture and hunting opportunities in human-modified landscapes. The candidate will closely collaborate with an existing PhD researcher in the Beyond Moose project that focuses on trophic interactions among ungulate species.
Qualifications
The candidate should have a master degree in Ecology or similar discipline, ideally with a focus on wildlife ecology and management, at the start of the contract. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out several months of field work a year and will work with large existing datasets of impacts of ungulates on forestry, agricultural crops, tree recruitment and ungulate performance. The successful candidate has demonstrated experience in field data collection and handling and analyses of large datasets. The candidate needs to possess a driver’s licence. Knowledge of English is essential and Swedish is a plus.
Forms for funding or employment
Employment as Research student 2 years
Beyond Moose: ecology and management of multispecies ungulate systems
Sweden’s ungulate communities have changed dramatically, resulting from active introductions (e.g., fallow deer) and from range expansion due to milder winters (e.g., wild boar). We lack a comprehensive understanding of the functioning of these novel diverse ungulate communities in landscapes modified by humans. The aim of Beyond Moose is to understand how ungulate species in these communities interact and how these interactions affect their impact on the landscape and the performance of individuals and populations of these species. This feeds into the international discussion on how to manage increasing ungulate communities and their populations throughout Europe and North America.
For more information about the program, please visit: http://www.wildliferesearch.se/beyond-moose.html
The position is for 2 years and should result in a licentiate thesis, which is a degree halfway the PhD degree. After these 2 years, the licentiate may be continued with another 2 years to result in a PhD thesis, provided that the program receives follow-up funding. The successful candidate will quantify the impact of multispecies ungulate systems on forestry, agriculture and hunting opportunities in human-modified landscapes. The candidate will closely collaborate with an existing PhD researcher in the Beyond Moose project that focuses on trophic interactions among ungulate species.
Qualifications
The candidate should have a master degree in Ecology or similar discipline, ideally with a focus on wildlife ecology and management, at the start of the contract. The successful candidate will be expected to carry out several months of field work a year and will work with large existing datasets of impacts of ungulates on forestry, agricultural crops, tree recruitment and ungulate performance. The successful candidate has demonstrated experience in field data collection and handling and analyses of large datasets. The candidate needs to possess a driver’s licence. Knowledge of English is essential and Swedish is a plus.
Forms for funding or employment
Employment as Research student 2 years
