Research Fellow in Forest Methane Modelling at University of Birmingham

Background

Part of the DefMet project (Is Tropical Deforestation Contributing to the Rise in Atmospheric Methane?), funded within the NERC Pushing the Frontiers scheme, this role will contribute to understanding upland forest methane exchange and how deforestation in shaping 21^st Century atmospheric methane concentrations. It builds on recent work by the PI (Gauci et al 2024, Nature) and will integrate modelling methane exchange in upland trees with the LPJ-GUESS dynamic global vegetation model to identify past, current and future changes in this new-found methane sink. This will include the planning of model developments, carrying out model developments, preparing and analysing observational datasets, designing experimental protocols, carrying out the related simulations and analysis, and leading writing of peer-reviewed papers based on the results. The fellow is expected to contribute substantially to the intellectual development of the work and will work closely with other team members who are collecting data in tropical forests. Participation in national and international meetings and workshops related to the above is expected, as is carrying out related administration and communication activities. The recruit will work with Dr Peter Hopcroft and Dr Thomas Pugh and Prof. Vincent Gauci.

Role Summary

• Work within the DefMet interdisciplinary project team.
• Investigate methane exchange in upland trees drawing on information derived from parallel field studies spanning a rainfall gradient in Ghana (and elsewhere) and modify empirical models of tree methane exchange accordingly, integrating them into LPJ-GUESS
• Work with the other team members, including field ecologists and the Forestry Research Institute of Ghana to deliver new understanding of how forests interact with climate

Main Duties

• Develop and apply the LPJ-GUESS vegetation model to integrate new knowledge on methane emission and uptake dynamics
• Integrate these findings into publishable work, disseminate findings for publication, research seminars and for presentation at conferences, etc
• Collaborate with the wider interdisciplinary project team to develop potential overlaps in findings and applications where possible
• Contribute to the supervision of students on related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline and reciprocally support fellow lab colleagues.
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research 
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods 

Person Specification

• First degree in area of specialism and PhD (or near to completion) in a numerate scientific subject
• An understanding of forest ecophysiological processes is desirable as well as wider issues relating to the methane cycle
• Demonstrated experience in ecological modelling, with a focus on forest modelling advantageous
• High level of competence in computer programming, with C++ an advantage
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly with very good proficiency in English

Informal enquiries to Lesley Boyle, email: l.a.boyle@bham.ac.uk 

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