Post-doctoral position forest dynamics

• Location

UMR BETA, Nancy

OR

UMR Eco&Sols, Montpellier

OR

UMR CESAER, Dijon, France

• Mission

This research project starts from the general research hypothesis that the dynamic consideration of forest carbon fluxes and stocks affects the value of substitution. In order to test this hypothesis, we propose first to couple a growth and harvest simulator developed in a previous project (BiCaFF, funded by ADEME) by Aude Valade and Valentin Bellassen7 with a forest sector bio-economic model (FFSM, French Forest Sector Model) developed at BETA9,10. Based on this coupling, the project will then provide a LCA of wood products that will take carbon dynamics upstream into account. Two tasks are distinguished and will be the subject of two publications:

Task 1: The BiCaFF project showed that increased harvesting in French forests leads to an increase in GHG emissions during the first 30 to 40 years, and showed that the "payback times" or "payback" of the carbon debt varied according to the origin of wood the wood7. Task 1 will build on existing simulations to:

- Analyse regional differences in carbon balance as a response to different harvest scenarios.

- Identify regions or species for which a shorter payback time is possible given their forest growth characteristics and the type of wood product produced.

This work will be the subject of a paper that will identify in which regions or for which species an increase in harvest levels would be least damaging to the carbon balance of the sector.

Task 2: This task aims at coupling the BiCaFF model and the FFSM bio-economic model in order to simulate the full effect of a policy encouraging the consumption of wood products (e.g. a wood consumption subsidy) on:

- The forest structure: harvested species, location of the harvest, age structure of the harvest

- The dynamics of resulting carbon flows in the wood supply chain.

In a second step, fossil emissions in each scenario will be added and potential substitution will be calculated by an LCA. This step will require careful definition of the baseline scenario in order to specify which materials are replaced by wood products. This second task will also be the subject of a scientific paper.

• Skills

Degree required: Ph.D. in forestry, ecology, economics or environmental sciences.
The profile sought is that of a research modeler in ecology and/or forest sciences, with an appetence for economics or an economist with skills in forestry and/or ecological modelling. A good knowledge of forest dynamics models is required. Previous experience in model coupling would be appreciated. Knowledge of Life Cycle Assessment is a plus, but is not required.

• Application

Submit your application as a single PDF file. This file should contain a 1-page cover letter describing your motivation to apply, a CV including relevant degrees, a publication list, and the contact information of 2 current or former supervisors.

Applications and inquiries should be sent to:

Sylvain Caurla, researcher (sylvain.caurla@inrae.fr) 03 83 39 68 96

Aude Valade, researcher (aude.valade@cirad.fr)

Valentin Bellassen, researcher (valentin.bellassen@inrae.fr) 03.80.77.27.91

Application deadline: February 28th 2021

• Contact

Sylvain Caurla, researcher (sylvain.caurla@inrae.fr) 03 83 39 68 96

Aude Valade, researcher (aude.valade@cirad.fr)

Valentin Bellassen, researcher (valentin.bellassen@inrae.fr) 03.80.77.27.91