PhD student in computational science / precision forestry

We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic PhD student to work within
the project “Precision forestry of the future: enhanced forest management
by optimized tree selection in thinning operations”.

The project is about whether information on the size and location of
individual trees can be used to increase productivity and sustainability
in forestry. The PhD student will develop and validate an individual-based
mathematical model of development of a forest, from young to mature. This
model will be used to study the profitability and sustainability of
different thinning strategies. A particular focus is the identification of
optimal harvesting strategies. We further intend to develop models to
estimate the cost of a thinning operation as well as to quantify the
uncertainty associated with information gathering from laser scanning of
trees (LiDAR).

The PhD student will work in the creative research environment IceLab.

Related research is already ongoing within this environment, with examples
including studies of vegetation dynamics, sustainable use of living
resources, spatial population dynamics, and numerical methods for
structured population models. The research is interdisciplinary and builds
on a combination of mathematics, ecology, physics, computer science, and
applications.

For further information and instructions on how to apply, see
www8.umu.se/umu/aktuellt/arkiv/lediga_tjanster/313-459-13.html

Your complete application, marked with reference number 313-459-13, should
be sent to jobb [Email address: jobb #AT# umu.se - replace #AT# with @ ]<mailto:jobb [Email address: jobb #AT# umu.se - replace #AT# with @ ]> (state the reference number as
subject) or to the Registrar, Umeå University, SE-901 87 Umeå, Sweden to
arrive May 20, 2013 at the latest.

We look forward to receiving your application!