Postdoctoral Fellow in Modelling plant-soil interactions

Project description
Plants can contribute to soil carbon stabilization, but can also increase soil organic matter decomposition near their roots via the rhizosphere priming effect. Using the novel, observation-based PrimeSCale model, we showed that priming can accelerate soil carbon losses, at a rate that is globally relevant even when only considering permafrost environments (Keuper & Wild et al. 2020 Nature Geoscience). This postdoctor will upgrade and expand PrimeSCale to a global scale, and compare priming effects across large-scale biomes.

The advertized postdoctoral fellow will be connected to ongoing efforts to quantify priming using PrimeSCale at a smaller scale, for permafrost systems within the ERC Starting Grant project PRIMETIME (PI Birgit Wild) and for agricultural systems with the Horizon Europe project AI4SoilHealth (collaboration partner Frida Keuper).

Main responsibilities
The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for advancing the existing PrimeSCale model on rhizosphere priming in the Arctic, to the global scale.

The work will include:

• Adapting the model code
• Identifying and integrating suitable data products
• Evaluating spatial variability of carbon losses induced by priming and its drivers
• Writing publications as lead author and supporting publications as co-author
• Coordinating the communication with international partners.

Qualification requirements
Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.