Temporary contract | up to 36 months | Belvaux

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.

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

How will you contribute?

Increasing occurrence and severity of droughts and heat waves poses significant challenges to the performance and survival of forest trees and often leads to shifts in forest community composition. Species composition can alter the allocation of forest carbon above versus belowground, and the turnover rate of the different forest soil carbon pools, both of which influence forest carbon stocks. Quantifying forest carbon stocks is complex and requires a combination of long-term monitoring and innovative techniques, including process modeling, stable isotope assays, and remote sensing.

You will contribute to three research directions: 1. Conduct a baseline monitoring and mapping of forest soil carbon and develop a future soil carbon monitoring program, 2. Estimate soil forest carbon turnover and vertical transport by collaborating with functional soil ecologists and by incorporating forest soil process models, and 3. Collaborate with remote sensing scientists to estimate aboveground forest carbon.

You will interact with multi-disciplinary researchers in the FORLUX project, including plant ecophysiologists, geochemists, geophysicists, soil microbiologists, and biogeochemical and hydrological modelers, 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 water-tree interactions 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.

You will be mainly in charge of:

• Contributing to collaborative research with Luxembourg forest stakeholders, including researchers, forest managers, and forest policy makers.
• Establishing baseline mapping of soil carbon stocks and future forest soil carbon monitoring for the City of Luxembourg (i.e., mixed urban and suburban forests).
• Collaborating with remote sensing researchers to estimate above-ground forest biomass carbon.
• Collaborating with PhD researchers to design cutting-edge experiments of how forest soil carbon responds to drought, using molecular-level analysis of soil carbon.
• Incorporating the above data into an innovative forest soil process model with a focus on vertical and horizontal transfer between soil carbon pools.

Your roles and responsibilities will include:

• Performing research duties with autonomy under general supervision: evaluate, select, and apply scientific methods; conduct experiments and tests (following predefined protocols); make critical analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of new or complex ideas; evaluate feasibility and effectiveness of solutions.
• An active contribution to progress in projects of regular size and scope. 
• Discussion and definition with the task leader, the principal investigator (PI), and external stakeholders in the project, of the objectives and expected results of the forest carbon task (i.e., using a co-creation approach).
• Interaction in a collaborative manner with other team members to achieve goals.
•  Organization of own work to meet objectives and deadlines. Informing regularly on work progress and addressing promptly any unexpected problem that could impact the work plan or the good development of your work.
• Contributing to the identification of new opportunities for innovation or application.
• Disseminating the research results through the publication of scientific papers and technical reports and the presentation of your work results at workshops, conferences, and the research community in general. 
• Active development of your scientific and industrial networks relevant to the position. Becoming part of identifiable external peer networks.
• Respecting codes of research ethics and research integrity. 
• Respecting and applying LIST-HSE rules. Staying alert to potential dangers or risks. Taking care of your own safety and that of others. 

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

Education

• You hold a PhD in soil science, biogeochemistry, or a related discipline

Experience and skills

• You have a research and publication record in soil process modelling
• Good knowledge of soil biogeochemistry, carbon cycling, and soil microbial physiology.
• Willingness to work within a multidisciplinary team in the field and laboratory, explaining and presenting research ideas and results.
• Expertise with soil carbon monitoring is an asset but not required.
• Expertise with the use of stable isotopes for assessing soil microbial physiology is an asset but not required.
• Awareness of research funding landscape.

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 to 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, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the submission deadline (15/11/2024) The review of any applications will be done for 30/11/2024 and the interviews will happen between end of November and beginning of December 2024. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Candidates shall be available for starting their position in winter 2024/2025.