Despite many estimates available regarding mitigation potential in the forest sector, policy makers are still uncertain about how to tackle this, how to create incentives, what are trade-offs, and thus what are the feasible options. Core forest modelling tools have been successfully applied to European countries for up to 20 years now (e.g. EFISCEN, Carbon Budget Model). However, previous studies did not take a system perspective, e.g. the main focus was on the forest sink alone (i.e., omitting the mitigation of HWP and substitution effects), or were hardly comprehensive, i.e. possible trade-offs and the feasibility of specific mitigation options were not considered.

Further developing these models, and through specific climate-smart forestry scenarios, the candidate will develop concrete studies taking a comprehensive system perspective on the mitigation potential. To this aim, he/she will combine the higher resolution version of EFISCEN-space with additional tools incorporating the whole forest sector mitigation (including HWP and substitution effects), and considering potential trade-offs and the feasibility of the proposed actions.
The specific phases will include:

1. Identifying specific climate smart forestry scenarios, taking into account the potential policy relevance, socio-economic trade-offs and possible triggers to stimulate mitigation.
2. Implement a systems perspective in selected regions/countries in Europe, by combining the simulation of the climate smart forestry scenarios - through high resolution climate sensitive EFISCEN modelling - with additional modules/models to assess the mitigation associated with HWP/ substitution effects.
3. Develop and implement approaches to explore, in selected case studies, the feasibility of the proposed measures - including considering economic routines that take into account land allocation and features like distance to roads, costs of measures, wood assortments etc . - and the most relevant synergies and trade-offs between mitigation, adaptation, and the provision of other services (e.g. biodiversity conservation).

Identify the most promising climate smart forestry scenarios in the various case studies examined, and develop recommendations to integrate the actions proposed into the traditional forest management tools.

The ideal candidate should have a University Master degree in forestry, agriculture or environmental science, or related field, and strong motivation to work with modelling tools in the interface between science and policy in the field of forestry and climate change .
Previous experience in the field of modelling and in the analysis of land/forest resources and carbon cycle is highly appreciated. You are fluent in English, have good communication skills and have experience with handling large data set. GIS is appreciated.

Further you are willing to work from two locations: Wageningen (The Netherlands) and Ispra (Italy). The first year in Wageningen, 2nd and 3rd year in Ispra and 4th year in Wageningen.

We offer a full-time position, initially for 18 months after which a go/no go decision will be taken on extension with another 30 months. Gross salary per month € 2.325,-- in the first year, rising to € 2.971,= per month in the fourth year, for a fulltime appointment

IN ADDITION WE OFFER

• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% fixed-year allowance;
• Excellent training opportunities and secondary working conditions;
• Flexible working hours and vacations can in consultation with colleagues be settled so that an optimal balance between work and private is possible;
• An excellent pension scheme via ABP;
• 232 holiday hours, the ability to purchase and good supplementary leave arrangements and an individualized model to compose part of your working conditions and a bicycle plan;
• sports facilities available on the campus;
• we stimulate internal growth opportunities and mobility with an active and internal recruitment policy. There are ample opportunities for own initiative in a creative learning environment.

Wageningen University & Research

The candidate will work in both the Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group of Wageningen University & Research, where EFISCEN-space is used, and in the Bioeconomy Unit of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, where the Carbon Budget Model (CBM) is used and a bioeconomy modelling framework is under development. Furthermore, the work links to the recently started H2020-Verify project, where both EFISCEN-space and CBM will simulate the bottom up forest carbon balance as input to a prototype independent international GHG verification system of the annual national reporting which Member States now produce and send to UNFCCC. In the course of work, the optimal linkages will be identified.

Wageningen University & Research
The mission of our University is to explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life. Within Wageningen University & Research, nine specialised research institutes from the Wageningen Research Foundation and Wageningen University have joined forces to help answer the most important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With approximately 30 locations, 6,500 employees, and 12,000 students, it is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of the unique approach of Wageningen.

The Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy collects evidence from different sources, including the JRC's biomass assessment study, other relevant JRC projects, studies undertaken by other Commission services, and also external sources . We make this knowledge available in a transparent, tailored and concise manner. At the same time, the Knowledge Centre enables us to bring together - virtually and physically - JRC researchers like Tevecia, EU policy makers and other experts in this field to share their knowledge.