SD-25271 – PHD IN ASSESSMENT AND VALUATION OF FOREST BASED RECREATION

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

To address the urgent societal need for science-based management recommendations for forests under increasing pressure, and to leverage on the fast-developing expertise in multi-disciplinary forest research in Luxembourg, LIST, in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg and the Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research, has formed a dedicated doctoral training unit (DTU) on “Forest function under stress” (FORFUS). It consists of 4 inter-linked research clusters, focusing on below-ground processes, tree and canopy processes, remote sensing observations, and prediction and valuation of forest functions, providing a holistic view on forests as complex systems. See the project website to find out more about the FORFUS doctoral training unit: https://www.list.lu/en/research/project/forfus

Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Temporary contract | 14+22+12 months | Belvaux Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

How will you contribute?

Your PhD work will focus on outdoor forest-based recreation (OFR): assessment and valuation for forest ecosystems under natural and human stress (-link-).The objectives of this research topic are to (1) define an improved and tailored evaluation approach for OFR, building further on existing methods; (2) quantify the value of OFR in Luxembourg ; (3) quantify the impact of forest disturbances on the OFR supply and value; (4) estimate the supply and demand of OFR in Luxembourg; (5) support the valuation of other ecosystem services (ES), especially those covered in FORFUS, and compare these with OFR.

Building on existing approaches, a new survey-based approach will be introduced in collaboration with STATEC to investigate the recreational preferences of a representative sample of Luxembourgish residents. The survey will adopt methodologies based on both revealed (e.g. travel cost) and stated preferences (e.g. choice experiment) to estimate the OFR value, considering household socio-economic data. The DC will also investigate the impacts of forest disturbances on OFR using visual media (e.g., photos, videos). The supply and demand of OFR will be assessed via a spatial analysis to identify recreational hotspots and inform forest management of them. Finally, the valuation of other ES will be performed based on benefit transfer methodologies, considering forest function/flow values obtained in other research context to put into context the value of OFR for human wellbeing.

Your main responsibilities will be to conduct literature research, develop associated methodologies, collect and process data with said methodologies. Moreover, the candidate will write down performed research in peer-reviewed journal articles and disseminate findings and outcomes. You will be member of the LCSA (Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment) group within the SUSTAIN unit. You will also be enrolled at the University of Luxembourg as a PhD Candidate.

This position is part of the doctoral training unit FORFUS (https://www.list.lu/en/research/project/forfus), associated with the FORLUX (https://www.list.lu/en/research/project/forlux) research project, both of which together will include 13 doctoral candidates and 4 postdoctoral researchers. We seek candidates with a strong potential to excel in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, and use their skill for the benefit of society in the long term.

You will follow the rules and curriculum set out by the Doctoral School in Science and Engineering (https://www.uni.lu/research-en/doctoral-education/dsse) and engage in courses and activities organised by the doctoral training unit FORFUS.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Experience and skills

• You have a strong interest in terrestrial ecosystems modelling, vegetation demography, plant physiology, and climate change. A background in forest engineering, ecohydrology, and/or ecology would be ideal but is not required. Experience in numerical modelling, big data analysis, and plant ecological and physiological processes,
• You enjoy both modelling, model-data integration, data analysis and working with HPC. Scripting and programming experience are essential.
• You like working in a team, explaining and presenting research ideas and results.

Education & work experience

• Basic: Msc. in environmental sciences, ecological economics or environmental engineering.
• Education or proven work/research activities (e.g. research papers) on the following topics is an asset:
• Assessing and monetizing ecosystem services, including design and implementation of stated-preference surveys (e.g., contingent valuation, choice experiments) and analysis of revealed-preference data (e.g., hedonic pricing, travel-cost methods).
• Forestry or forest ecosystems
• Eco-tourism
• Environmental behaviour
• Spatial analysis applied to territorial/regional planning

Technical and soft skills

• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel etc.)
• Proficiency in statistical analysis
• Data handling, processing and modelling
• Familiarity with GIS tools (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS is a plus
• Proficiency in Python scripting for data analysis and automation is a plus
• Fluent in communicating and explaining (enquiries)
• Has the ability to work independently and also as part of a team
• Open to engage in dialogue and discussion
• Affinity for teaching and writing

Language skills

• Fluency in English (and French), both oral and written. Other relevant languages are an asset.