巴西国家空间研究所计算机方向博士后职位

Postdoc opportunity at Brazilian institute INPE:
‘Implementing nutrient impacts on vegetation dynamics in the INLAND dynamic vegetation model.’
Period: as soon as possible until December 2015 (with possibility of extension)
Grant: BRL 4100 monthly allowance
Background
Although several novel developments exist, many dynamic global vegetation models (DGVMs) are often still lacking sensitivity for nutrient (N, P), which limits their ability to adequately respond to climate change, CO2 increase and nitrogen deposition, among others. INLAND is a DGVM developed by the Brazilian research community, based on the IBIS model and currently linked to a Brazilian global climate models, fire models and land-use change models. One special feature of INLAND is the detail in soil layering. Nutrient sensitivity has been implemented so far in a basic fashion. With a focus on the tropics, phosphate sensitivity is essential for INLAND. The main aim of this project is to improve and extend the basic nutrient sensitivity ‘infrastructure’ of the model. Examples from other models are to be used. The secondary aim is to make the nutrient budgets dynamic. The role of mycorrhiza, for example, is especially important in tropical ecosystems. To explore novel links between, for example, fire, land use, landscape heterogeneity, and nutrient availability is another option.
We are looking for a postdoc to design and implement sensitivity of nutrients.
Skills: We expect the candidate to at least be able to quickly understand the ecological concepts needed (with help and in contact with supervisors and colleagues) and then be able to efficiently and independently, but in communication with the other modellers, code this into the model.
- model programmer (preferably experienced in Fortran, and with some modelling in the Earth System or Ecology domain)
- OR: ecologist/soil scientist with good programming skills
- at least willingness to learn basic ability to communicate in Portuguese
Job description
- Implement a dynamic nutrient dependence, based upon existing modelling material (other DGVMs, literature) and data sets.
- Then, explore possibilities to account for nitrogen fixation, denitrification, and soil phosphate dynamics (including direct litter-root links and mycorrhiza), and possibly fire, land-use change and heterogeneity.
- Contribute to or lead documenting and publishing the updated version of INLAND
We offer
- Stay at INPE, the Brazilian National Space Research Institute (INPE), in Sao José dos Campos, Sao Paulo state, Brazil
- Interesting period interacting with the Brazilian research community, as well as work with collaborators from Wageningen UR, and links with Amazon elevated CO2 impact research
- Nice subtropical working environment in the Brazilian southeast, near Sao Paulo, Rio, the Mantiqueira mountains and nice beaches.
- A monthly grant of BRL 4100
How to apply
Please send by email: a CV with publication list and names of two references, plus any other relevant information, to Celso von Randow, at INPE.