POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER ON WATER-TREE INTERACTIONS (m/f)

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By generating relevant scientific knowledge and converting knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

Forests contribute to stabilizing micro and macro climate, sustain and protect biodiversity, contribute to global carbon uptake and storage, support livelihoods, and help drive inclusive and sustainable growth. Luxembourg city is one of the country's largest forest owners, with its 1,055 hectares of forests (managed by the ‘Administration de la nature et des Forêts - ANF)' playing multiple roles - including (i) recreational purposes, (ii) drinking water production from the Luxembourg sandstone aquifer, (iii) air purification, and (iv) wood production. However, Luxembourg's forests are far from being sheltered from threats related to global change. In recent years, they have shown a rapid decline in forest health, likely due to increasingly strong exposure to various pressures related to the combined effects of climate change (droughts, flash floods, insect pests and diseases), air pollution, and the development of newly urbanized areas. To maintain and protect the benefits of forests, there is thus a pressing need for a better understanding of these pressures, and more sustainable forest management strategies.

Therefore, LIST, Luxembourg city and the Nature and Forest Agency (ANF) developed in a co-creation framework the FORLUX project (https://www.list.lu/en/research/project/forlux) as a trailblazer for the design of urgently needed sustainable management strategies of forest ecosystems under global change. The main goal is to preserve the ecosystem services of the forests by, on the one hand, establishing a system for monitoring tree health with representative experimental plots equipped with innovative data transfer technologies and, on the other hand, deliver data-based and model-based scientific insights into tree-water interactions, forest carbon sequestration and air quality. These results, which integrate both the water and carbon cycles, will be the first of their kind for Luxembourg's forest ecosystems and will pave the way for new forest management strategies under global change.

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How will you contribute?

Increasing occurrence and severity of droughts and heat waves poses significant challenges to the performance and survival of forest trees. It is not clear what enables different tree species to avoid damage during such extreme events at a given site, and in how far tree size plays a role in their survival. Rooting depth, hydraulic infrastructure, tree water storage and stomatal control all contribute to the ability of forest trees to withstand drought and heat. Even the way trees intercept rainfall and partition it into evaporation, stem flow, and foliar water uptake might play a role for the forest's resistance to drought and its resilience after damage.

You will develop and combine innovative observation techniques to enhance our understanding of the hydrological and physiological interactions of different tree species with their environment. Your goal will be to quantify the dynamics of the water storage in the soil and saprolite where the trees collect water, and link root zone water availability to atmospheric conditions and tree water relations. This will require the collection and processing of a wide range of data, including meteorological data, soil data and tree sensor data (e.g. sap flow, stem water content and water potential). You will also explore novel methods (e.g. geophysics) to expand our current observational abilities of tree-soil water relations.

You will strongly interact with multi-disciplinary researchers in the FORLUX project, including plant ecophysiologists, geochemists, geophysicists, soil microbiologists biogeochemical and hydrological modellers, with the aim to develop a holistic understanding of the relevant interactions between different compartments of the forest ecosystem. In collaboration with two other postdoctoral researchers on FORLUX, one focusing on soil processes and carbon stocks in forests and one on tree adaptation modelling, you will draw links between the water and carbon cycles at the studied forest sites and beyond. Regular exchange with non-scientific stakeholders and a strong association of FORLUX with a doctoral training unit on "Forest function under stress" (FORFUS) will further contribute to the holistic view of forests that you will help develop.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

You hold a PhD in plant biology, environmental science, or a related discipline

Experience and skills

You have a research and publication record in plant ecophysiology, geophysics, and/or ecohydrology

You enjoy coupling field observations (equipment implementation and maintenance, sampling, data collection) and data analysis. Programming experience is a plus.

You like working in a team, explaining and presenting research ideas and results.

You are keen to achieve highest levels of scientific practice. Experience with Open Science approaches and techniques is a plus.

Experience with designing/managing experimental sites or research observatories is a plus.

Language skills

Very good level of written and spoken English.

French, German or Luxembourgish speaking is an asset.

Your LIST benefits

An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects

Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society

Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do

An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas

Personalized learning programme to foster our staff's soft and technical skills

Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce

Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions

Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science

32 days' paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance

Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online

We seek candidates with a strong potential to excel in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, and use their skills for the benefit of society in the long term.

Your application must include:

A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience

A scientific CV with contact details

List of publications and patents (if applicable)

Contact details of 2 references

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

Application procedure and conditions

We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.

LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, g [...]