AmazonFACE/State University of Campinas

Homepage: https://amazonface.unicamp.br/

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position with the AmazonFACE program, the first large-scale Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) experiment conducted in a mature, biodiverse Amazonian rainforest. The program is based at and coordinated by the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA), co-coordinated by the University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and led by a dynamic team of Brazilian and international researchers (from the UK, EU, and USA).

We are seeking a motivated postdoc researcher with expertise in the modelling of tropical forest vegetation to support and expand research on biogeochemical cycles within our project team.

The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in advancing the understanding of plant, soil and water interactions in response to elevated CO2 within the AmazonFACE program. The appointee will lead a specific intercomparison of different vegetation models to generate hypotheses to be tested in the AmazonFACE field experiment regarding the effect of elevated CO2 concentrations on plant water use and resistance to drought.

Main Duties and Accountabilities

• Conduct a vegetation model intercomparison regarding the impacts of eCO₂ on plant water use and forest resilience to drought. This involves inviting modelling groups from around the world (between 5 to 10 different groups) to be part of this effort and coordinating their commitment to provide model outputs to be analysed and published in an article on the topic, led by the successful candidate for this position.
• Develop a modelling and analysis protocol to be followed by the different participant modelling groups.
• Coordinate the analysis of model results and prepare a publication on the topic
• Contribute to project development, from conceptualization to implementation, in alignment with the objectives and deadlines of the AmazonFACE 2025-2030 Science Plan (https://zenodo.org/records/13770177).
• Participate in project meetings, present results in seminars, and attend relevant workshops and conferences.
• Write reports and prepare results for publication.
• Collaborate with, mentor and/or co-supervise Master and Doctoral students working on topics related to the program.
• Interact and cooperate with different research areas and AmazonFACE program members.
• Contribute to maintaining a positive work environment.

Requirements/Person Specification

• A doctoral degree in biology, forestry, ecology, environmental sciences, environmental engineering, soil science, or soil microbiology or a related field.
• Practical experience in developing and applying vegetation models or similar models in the context of ecology and climate change science.
• Sound understanding of concepts in forest ecology and water cycle.
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary teams.
• A demonstrated track record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals.
• Willingness to synthesize data into high-quality scientific publications.
• Availability to mentor and co-supervise graduate students.
• The team includes researchers from Brazil and abroad, fluency in Portuguese and English is desirable.

What We Offer

• A two-year position (with the possibility of extension to three years) in a stimulating work environment, funded by a FINEP fellowship (R$ 5,200/month).
• Applicants will join and interact with a diverse, cross-disciplinary, and interdisciplinary team of researchers with the common goal of integrating tropical forest aboveground and belowground processes, advancing modelling efforts, and examining impacts on socio-economic dynamics to gain a holistic understanding of the effects of eCO₂ on the Amazon forest.
• Opportunities to participate in conferences, workshops, and short training exchange stays with different research groups.

FURTHER INFORMATION
The position is based at the Center for Meteorological and Climatic Research Applied to Agriculture (CEPAGRI) at UNICAMP in Campinas, Brazil, under the supervision of David M. Lapola.

Please contact amzface@unicamp.br if you have any further questions.