Climate Costs of Boreal Forest Clear-cutting

PhD position

Swansea University is pleased to invite applications for a fully funded PhD studentship in the field of Geophysics, Hydrogeology, and Engineering, as part of the CORE project. This exciting opportunity focuses on understanding the climate impacts of clear-cutting in boreal forests through a combination of fieldwork and modelling.

The research will be conducted at the ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) site in Norunda, Sweden, a leading European research infrastructure for atmospheric and ecosystem observations.

This project represents the first global attempt to interpret GHG fluxes alongside subsurface hydrogeophysical data, offering a novel and comprehensive perspective on how forestry practices influence the carbon and water cycles.

Key Objectives:

Collect and analyze multiscale field data on hydrology and GHG emissions post clear-cutting.
Model the interactions between subsurface hydrological processes and atmospheric gas exchanges.
Improve current estimates and reduce uncertainties in GHG budgets for boreal forest ecosystems.
This interdisciplinary project is ideal for candidates with backgrounds in geophysics, hydrology, environmental engineering, or related fields, and a strong interest in climate science and ecosystem dynamics.