Post-Doctoral Fellow

Reference number: 2293
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Post Doctoral Fellow
Duty station: Home-based
Download PDF:

---

CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

Overview

CIFOR?ICRAF’s Global Comparative Study (GCS) on REDD+ (https://www2.cifor.org/gcs/) has produced information, analysis, and tools to promote effective, efficient and equitable (3E) REDD+ outcomes, including secure rights and livelihoods for indigenous peoples and local communities. The project is entering its fourth phase (2021?2023) with a focus on using science to help overcome the barriers to implementation of 3E REDD+ policies and actions in Peru, Brazil, DRC, and Indonesia in light of growing finance for forests.

In WP1, the project will support global actors (UNFCCC, IPCC) and national and subnational stakeholders to enhance transparency and accountability in the forest and land use sector, with a special emphasis on large C reservoirs like peatlands and stable forests, through co-developing higher-quality, more accessible, and frequently updated data and information, and giving attention to the institutions and accountability mechanisms that support its responsible use. Carbon-rich tropical wetland ecosystems including peatlands are considered as high priorities in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies throughout the world. More specifically, peatlands from Latin American and the Caribbean have been identified as being globally important but understudied.

Duties and responsibilities

The Post-Doctoral Fellow will conduct a literature review on peatlands from Latin American and the Caribbean targeting ecosystem and soil fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHG) and carbon (C) stocks to produce a scientific paper. The methods for soil GHG budget assessment will follow the IPCC standards as described in the 2013 IPCC Wetlands supplement. Whenever 2022 sanitary conditions allow, the postdoc will select new research sites in the Peruvian Amazon where he/she will monitor GHG fluxes as affected by degradation of palm swamp peatlands.

• Conduct a literature review on peatlands from Latin American and the Caribbean targeting ecosystem and soil fluxes of greenhouse gases (GHG) and carbon (C) stocks to produce a scientific paper Responsibility 
  
• Select new research sites in the Peruvian Amazon where he/she will monitor GHG fluxes as affected by degradation of palm swamp peatlands
  
• Conduct consultancy with Nature Based Insetting (18 days between May and September – approx. 1 day per week) working on mapping carbon stock in forest carbon projects
  

Education, knowledge and experience

• A PhD in forestry, ecology, geography, environmental science, or a related field
• Good understanding of the biogeochemistry of the carbon and nitrogen cycles and biogeochemical research methods in peatlands; specific knowledge of Latin American peatlands is an advantage
• Experience in field-based ecological research (greenhouse gas sampling, vegetation and soil sampling)
• Proficiency in publishing, question-driven research, and detail-oriented, conscientious application of scientific methods.
• Good knowledge of statistics
• Fluency in English, excellent spoken and written Spanish.
• Experience in working with multiple partners and working in developing countries are preferred.

Personal attributes and competencies

• Excellent analytical and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, experienced in working with multicultural and multidisciplinary research teams.
• Initiative and capability to work independently while being an effective team member.
• Competency in personal organization, priority setting and managing multiple tasks.
• Values the sharing of information and continuous improvement in a cooperative atmosphere of constructive evaluation and learning.

Terms and conditions

• This is a postdoctoral fellow position. CIFOR?ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in US dollars commensurate with skills and experience.
• The appointment will be for 1 (one) year, inclusive of a six?month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
• The duty station: Home?based Application process
• The application deadline is 24 July 2022.
• We will acknowledge all applications but will only contact short-listed candidates
  To apply, please visit our career site at: http://www.cifor.org/careers and https://www.worldagroforestry.org/working-for-icraf
  To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
  CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
  CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 24 Jul-2022
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.