PhD position - Dynamics of the Alpine Treeline Ecotone under Climate Change
Earth Science Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences
The PhD research will be conducted at the Earth Science Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, in Stará Lesná, High Tatras. The study is formally administered by the Technical University in Zvolen, Faculty of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, where candidates must submit their official application.
Homepage: https://geo.sav.sk/en/
Biogeosciences (BG)
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Research on the dynamics of the alpine treeline ecotone (ATE) is crucial for understanding the mechanisms, manifestations, and impacts of global climate change on the natural environment. The ATE is located between the subalpine and alpine zones, where primary climatic conditions (cold temperatures, wind, energy balance, and the length of the growing/snow season) limit the development of plant populations. The main objective of this study is to investigate the impact of climate on the ATE and to address open questions such as: How are climatic conditions changing in the ATE? How is vegetation responding to warming and weather extremes associated with climate change? What role do soil, water availability, topography, geographic conditions, and other environmental factors play in the expansion of tree vegetation within the ATE? How can research findings contribute to proposing conservation strategies, restoration, and management in protected areas? This topic creates opportunities for employing various approaches and methods, which may include experiments, field monitoring, modelling, comparative analyses, remote sensing, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. Within Slovakia, the research will be carried out in the High Tatras, specifically in the Skalnatá dolina valley, using the available infrastructure of the Skalnaté Pleso Observatory of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, which provides more than 80 years of high-quality climate measurement records.
Applicants are expected to have an academic background in bioclimatology or related disciplines, such as meteorology, hydrology, botany, ecology, environmental science, or climatology, and a strong interest in bioclimatic monitoring in mountain environments. The position is particularly suitable for candidates from countries of the Carpathian arc, although applications from motivated candidates from all countries are welcome. The standard duration of the PhD study is four years.
Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the prospective PhD supervisor (Veronika Lukasová: geofluka@savba.sk) directly before applying.