项目介绍

2026年10月23日

Last application date Nov 30, 2026 23:59

Department LA20 – Department of Environment

Degree MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Bioscience-Engineering, Remote Sensing, Surveying, Physics, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, etc.).

Occupancy rate 100%

Vacancy type Research staff

ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY

Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing more than 15.000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, as well as technical and social service provision on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities.

With its 11 faculties and more than 85 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its staff and students.

YOUR TASKS

Q-ForestLab (www.q-forestlab.ugent.be) is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to work on linking high-temporal 3D structure and microclimate time series in forest ecosystems.

Forests absorb 30% of current annual CO2 emissions through photosynthesis and growth, with tropical forests storing the majority of global live biomass in forests. Despite the important role forests play in our climate system and society, growing evidence shows that forests globally are under increasing pressure from climate change. Microclimate regulation is a key forest function because forests can buffer the impacts of climate extremes. The amount of buffering within forests (buffering capacity) is directly linked to forest structure because forest structure determines the amount of incoming solar radiation, the amount of water available at the forest floor, the rate of evapotranspiration, and the speed of below-canopy winds. Forest dynamics and disturbances are key drivers of forest structure and thus directly contribute to the buffering capacity of forests. Hence, changing disturbances regimes under climate change may substantially change the buffering capacity of future forests.

This PhD position draws on the experience and resources from multiple projects (including FWO projects in the Amazon forest in Brazil, tropical Australia and Q-ForestLab’s four permanent plots in Bosland, Belgium). This project will focus on understanding how disturbances and forest dynamics shape 3D forest structure over time, and how these structural changes alter the microclimate buffering capacity of tropical and temperate forests. It will lead to a step-change in our ability to observe, quantify and understand, at high temporal resolution, the link between forest structure and microclimate. The project will use high-temporal microclimate and 3D structure data from high-end terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), including permanently installed laser scanners.

Within your work, you will:

1. Collect and analyse high-frequency (daily, monthly or yearly) 3D terrestrial laser scanning data of tropical rainforests in Brazil and Australia and temperate forests in Belgium to quantify their 4D structure (3D plus time). Fieldwork at these sites may be required.
2. Combine these data with co-located microclimate measurements (including temperature and relative humidity) to link forest structure and its dynamics to buffering capacity at plot-level.
3. Use radiative transfer models (RTMs) to simulate the below-canopy light regime and its role in microclimate buffering using the ForEdgeClim model.

This PhD project will be promoted by prof. Kim Calders and co-supervised by dr. Louise Terryn. You will interact regularly with Prof. Pieter De Frenne, who will act as an informal advisor. 

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

• MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (Bioscience-Engineering, Remote Sensing, Surveying, Physics, Geosciences, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, etc.).
• Fluent in programming languages such as (at least one of) R, C++ or Python
• Keen to carry out fieldwork in temperate and tropical forests, including longer fieldwork campaigns of several weeks
• Prior experience with, or a solid understanding of, radiative transfer modelling is a plus, but not a requirement
• Previous experience with (terrestrial) laser scanning and 3D modelling of forests is a plus, but not a requirement
• A passion for nature and forests and a keen interest in forest ecology.
• A good command of English, both written and oral. 

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• We offer a full-time position as a doctoral fellow, consisting of an initial period of 12 months, which, after a positive evaluation, will be extended to a total maximum of 48 months.
• Your contract will start on February 1, 2027 at the earliest.
• The fellowship amount is 100% of the net salary of an AAP member in equal family circumstances. The individual fellowship amount is determined by Team Personnel Administration based on family status and seniority. A grant that meets the conditions and criteria of the regulations for doctoral fellowships is considered free of personal income tax. Click here for more information about our salary scales.
• All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of holiday leave (on an annual basis for a full-time job) supplemented by annual fixed bridge days, bicycle allowance and eco vouchers. Click here for a complete overview of all the staff benefits.
• The successful candidate will be based in Ghent.
• Opportunities to present your work at scientific conferences.
• Collaboration in a young and dynamic international scientific team. Life-work balance is important for us.
• Please mention your favourite animal in your motivation letter so we can check that you at least read this vacancy in full.
• About Q-ForestLab – www.q-forestlab.ugent.be Our lab is part of Ghent University in Belgium and studies vegetation dynamics, ecology, biogeochemistry, carbon and water cycling of terrestrial ecosystems. Q-ForestLab has a strong focus on forest ecosystems, but a broad interest in all types of terrestrial ecosystems, including tropical and temperate forests, drylands, peatlands and urban ecosystems. Our strength lies in a unique combination of methodologies, ranging from empirical in-situ observations and experiments, over 3D forest reconstructions, to process-based modelling and remote sensing. 

INTERESTED?

• Application submission (CV and application letter) through this google form: https://forms.gle/sbzJ7hcAMpKHcYhN7
• Application deadline: 30 November 2026 (midnight CEST)
• Notification of selection for interview: mid December 2026
• Interviews (online): Mid January 2027
• You will receive a notification after submitting your application – please check your spam folder
• More information: Prof. Kim Calders | kim.calders@ugent.be

As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.