16.03.2021
Old-growth birch forest in Iceland. Photo: Pétur Halldórsson
Old-growth birch forest in Iceland. Photo: Pétur Halldórsson

Diverse and inter-disciplinary PhD and MS projects in relation to birch woodland restoration in Iceland are open for applications within the research project Restoration of birch woodlands in the 21st century – challenges, approaches and benefits (BirkiVist) funded by the Icelandic Strategic Research and Devopment Program 2020-2023 on Societal Challenges.

The project is a collaboration between the Agricultural University of Iceland, the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland, the University of Iceland, the Iceland University of the Arts and the Icelandic Forest Service together with other institutes, start-up companies and NGOs.

Two PhD positions (36 months each) are available at the Faculty of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the Agricultural University of Iceland (AUI) as well as six MS projects (5-10 months stipend) at AUI  and Faculty of Life and Environmental sciences at the University of Iceland. PhD project 1 is on regeneration of birch, including dispersal establishment and modelling on speed and pattern of birch recruitment. PhD project 2 is on changes in hydrology, carbon cycle and other soil variables on sites where birch woodland is developing on formerly treeless land. The MS projects vary greatly and cover ecology, landscape, biodiversity, policy and governance of ecological restoration.

Priority for applications arriving by 25 March

Applications are welcome the earliest possible. Applications received by 25 March will be given priority, but applications will be open for until students have been recruited for all projects. Students should preferably start in June 2021 the latest.

Applicants for PhD should have completed MS in restoration ecology, ecology, enviromental science or related topics. Applicants for the MS project should have completed BS or BA in relevant topics.

Editor: Pétur Halldórsson

 

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