PhD Student Position Available
Temporal and Spatial Dynamics of Sub arctic Peat Plateau and
Thermokarst Lake Complexes
Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology
Stockholm University, Sweden
REFERENCE NUMBER: 463-02-04
Application deadline: Wednesday, 18 February 2004
For further information, please contact:
Professor Peter Kuhry
(peter.kuhry [at] natgeo.su.se)
or go to:
http://www.geo.su.se/ink
OVERVIEW
The Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm
University, Sweden, is recruiting a PhD student to study the Holocene
evolution and recent dynamics of Subarctic Peat Plateau and Thermokarst
Lake Complexes.
The successful candidate will use the following study techniques:
(1) Plant macrofossil, geochemical, and radiocarbon analyses of peat
deposits
(2) Evaluation of time series of remote sensing images
(3) Year-round field monitoring of snow/permafrost temperatures and
active layer development
(4) Review of relevant published data
BACKGROUND
The boreal forest (taiga) and tundra biomes are characterized by a very
large and significant pool of soil organic carbon, particularly in the
form of peat deposits in the widespread peatland ecosystems. Northern
peatlands are also an important source of methane. In the more northern
parts of these biomes a large proportion of peatlands are underlain by
perennially frozen ground (permafrost). Landforms such as palsas, peat
plateaus, and polygonal peatlands typically result. Boreal peatlands in
non-permafrost terrain have been investigated quite extensively.
Permafrost peatlands, however, have been studied in less detail because
of their often remote location, expensive logistics, and harsh field
conditions. Furthermore, most of this limited research has focused on
palsa landforms. The present study aims at contributing to the
understanding of the response of peat plateau and thermokarst lake
complexes to climate change through analyzing the development of these
permafrost landforms at different temporal and spatial scales. The
effects of fire dynamics will also taken into account where relevant.
The approach is Circumarctic, with field areas in subarctic
Fennoscandia, Canada, and Russia. The results will improve our knowledge
of the northern peatland's role in the global terrestrial carbon cycle
and possible feedbacks originating from these ecosystems to global
warming.
POSITION SPECIFICS
This four year position is financed by a faculty studentship at
Stockholm University. There will be a stipend of 1870 USD per month
during the 1st year followed, upon satisfactory progress, by a salary of
2460 USD per month for the remaining three years. The PhD program
includes three years of research and one year of course work.
Possibilities may exist for limited teaching at the department that
would extend the term of employment to a maximum of five years.
Partial funding for fieldwork and laboratory analyses is available from
external sources. There is no tuition.
The supervisors for this position consist of:
Prof. Peter Kuhry
Dr. Ian Brown
Dr. Peter Jansson
The starting date is negotiable, but should be no later than
Saturday, 1 May 2004.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates should have a MS in Earth Sciences or equivalent. Preference
will be given to those with specialization in one or more of the fields
of investigation described for the project. The candidate should also
have the potential or proven ability to publish in English peer-reviewed
journals.
APPLICATION DETAILS
When applying, please include the following:
(1) Curriculum vitae
(2) Transcripts
(3) Names and addresses of two references
(4) Other relevant documents (all attested)
Applications must be labeled with the reference number 463-02-04.
Please send applications to:
Department of Physical Geography & Quaternary Geology
Stockholm University
Att: Petra Geltner
SE-10691 Stockholm
SWEDEN
Application Deadline: Wednesday, 18 February 2004.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For further information, please contact:
Professor Peter Kuhry (peter.kuhry [at] natgeo.su.se)
or go to:
http://www.su.se (Stockholm University)
http://www.geo.su.se/ink (The Department of Physical Geography and
Quaternary Geology)
http://www.doktorandhandboken.nu/doktorandhandboken/english/index.htm
(Postgraduate Handbook)