Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA)

News

Postdoc position in Switzerland on phenology of alpine plants

The ‘Mountain Ecosystems’ and ‘Climate Research’ teams at the Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL in Switzerland are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher in the project: ‘Warmer temperatures, less snow, earlier plant development? Using a long-term meteorological network to unravel temperature and snow effects on mountain vegetation’. We take advantage of a unique and extensive set of climate monitoring stations in the Swiss Alps that provides c. 20 years of climate, snow and plant growth data. We plan to extend the approach to other regions of the Alps or world. You will investigate how temperatures and snow cover influence plant phenology along geographical gradients within the network of climate stations to de-termine how changed climate conditions such as accelerated snowmelt control phe-nology and the distribution of plants. You will publish your results in international journals. The position is funded for the duration of 2 years and should start in January 2015. The work location is Davos, Switzerland.

Please apply online (see link below) by sending your complete application to Jasmine Zimmermann, Human Resources WSL/SLF. Christian Rixen, phone +41 (0)81 417 02 14, e-mail rixen[at]slf.ch, and Martine Rebetez, phone Tel. +41 (0)32 718 18 12, will be happy to answer any questions or offer further information. To be assured of full consideration, please apply by November 5, 2014.

Kathmandu, Nepal, 9–12 November 2014

The international conference is ICIMOD’s annual flagship event. With the goal of exploring holistic solutions for adaptation to change in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region that transcend political, sectoral, and national boundaries, conference sessions will strengthen links and promote knowledge sharing between over 200 expert climate scientists, policy makers and practitioners. Participation in this event is by official invite only, but you can follow the conference via Twitter using #adaptHKH

For further information check the conference website or contact adapthkh@icimod.org.