Reference number: Dnr 13/2009. Envisioned starting date: Sept 1 2009. The position is externally funded through the project: Dealing with rapid and slow changes: the role of modularity and connectivity in social-ecological systems. Project description: Urban landscapes can be viewed as rapidly developing large-scale experiments of change in social and ecological systems. In our interdisciplinary research group we combine social and natural sciences to build integrative understanding of urban landscapes as social-ecological systems that generate ecosystem services, from improved air quality and spaces of recreation to supporting biodiversity. The successful applicant will together with us develop novel approaches in analyzing and modeling urban landscapes, mainly through using network theory. Empirical focus will be Stockholm and possibly New Orleans.
Based on GIS, spatial modeling, and social scientific methods, integrated data will be generated on spatially explicit landscape networks that generate and distribute ecosystem services.
Network analyses will be used for investigating modularity and connectivity in urban social-ecological systems and particularly how connective practices by social actors may influence the robustness/resilience of ecosystem services in face of slow and rapid changes.
This work will be part of ongoing projects in Sweden, South Africa and conducted in collaboration with researchers at Stockholm Resilience Centre at Stockholm University. The applicant will be expected to take part in the interdisciplinary research school at Stockholm Resilience Centre.
We are looking for an analytically skilled person with a background in biology, ecology or sociology/urban planning. We would also seriously consider applicants with a background in mathematical analysis, physics, computer science or similar.
Furthermore, knowledge of any or several of the following methods and tools will be of high value: GIS (Geographical Information Systems), network analysis (UCINET etc.), numerical- statistical and spatial analyses and modeling (e.g. Matlab, R, and database development.
Criteria for evaluation:
- Theoretical knowledge of the areas of relevance for the research project
- Practical experiences of relevance for the research project
- Knowledge in scientific theories and methods
- Analytical ability, demonstrated by research reports, essays, exam thesis
- Personal references
Terms of employment:
This is a full time position. The salary is set according to the University standard for graduate students. The applicant must also be formally accepted as a graduate student to qualify for this position.
The position will, at most, last for five years (however no longer than the equivalence of four year full time studies). The position needs to be renewed after the first year, and the renewal will last up to two years; then to be followed by another renewal.
The applicant will be evaluated based on his/her ability to fulfill the graduate study program. A successful applicant shall spend most of his/her time on the graduate studies. No more than 20% of a full time equivalent can be used for teaching and/or administrative work at the department.
Further information
More information about the position can be obtained by contacting Dr.Henrik Ernstson , Stockholm Resilience Centre & Department of Systems Ecology, +46 8 16 49 20, henrik@ecology.su.se or Prof. Thomas Elmqvist, +46 8 16 12 83, thomase@system.ecology.su.se.
General information can be given by the head of the departmentNils Kautsky , +46 8 16 42 51, nils@ecology.su.se. Union representatives are Bo Ekengren,SACO , Lars-Åke Säll/ST-ATF and Gunnar Stenberg/SEKO, Phone: +46 8 16 20 00.
Further information on the web
Stockholm University
The Department of Systems Ecology
The handbook for postgraduate students
