PhD candidate (f/m/x) in tree belowground carbon inputs to soils in drier forests

Place of work

Working time

Contract limitations

Salary

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Dr. Emily Solly (emily.solly@ufz.de)

Your application

Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.

Your tasks

You will measure fine root lifespans, distributions and tissue quality across soil profiles in hydrologically-distinct forests in Germany, by using root anatomy techniques to record the chronological ages of fine roots, assessments of root growth and root biomass, and performing analytical measurements to quantify the chemical composition of fine roots.

You will gather radiocarbon measurements of soluble and structural carbon in roots collected from individual trees to provide fundamental insights on how long carbon taken up via photosynthesis resides in trees before it is transferred to the soil through fine root systems.

You will perform a mesocosm study, where tree structural and physiological responses
will be measured in parallel to changes in fungal mycelia production, root associated and soil fungal communities, and soil physicochemical properties, to quantify the influence of an altered biological activity in response to drier environmental conditions on the formation of surface and deep soil organic carbon.

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• Master’s degree in Enviromental Sciences, Ecology, Geoecology, Biology, Biogeochemistry, Forestry or a related field
• Knowledge of soil, plant and fungal ecology
• Experience in biogeochemical measurements, field sampling and general laboratory manipulation experiments is of advantage
• Drivers license Class B valid in Germany
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English