The Thünen Institute of Climate-Smart Agriculture of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries in Braunschweig (Germany) invites applications for a

Research associate (f/m/d)

(agricultural, soil, geological or environmental sciences)

 with 65% of the regular weekly working time in the integrated research project “DeniDrain“. The position is to be filled earliest to 01.06.2023 and limited until 31.03.2027.

Denitrification in soil has been intensively studied for more than 100 years, but previous experimental studies and thus also the parameterization of the models refer almost exclusively to the deep vadosezone. Together with the Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), the Thünen Institute is investigating denitrification in the unsaturated drainage zone below the root zone. The aim of this collaborative project is to quantitatively determine the mitigation of nitrate inputs to groundwater by the degradation of nitrate to N₂O and N₂ by denitrification in the deep vadose zone. After a suitable site selection, current denitrification rates of these sites and effects of different control variables will be investigated in the laboratory. At BGR, the data obtained will then be used to test and improve models.

 Tasks:

• Assistance with site selection and soil sampling
• Conducting laboratory experiments on denitrification and nitrate leaching
• Scientific data analysis and statistical evaluation
• Publication of results in scientific journals
• Presentation of results at national and international conferences

 Professional requirements:

• Good degree (Master, Univ.-Diplom) in agricultural, soil, geosciences or environmental sciences or comparable disciplines with a scientific background
• Knowledge in the field of nitrogen turnover in agricultural soils
• Experience in field and/or laboratory work in the field of agriculture/soil science desired
• Good statistical knowledge

Personal requirements:

• Independent and self-reliant scientific way of working
• High level of motivation and enjoyment of scientific work, willingness to learn new methods, technical skills
• Excellent communication skills in English, good German language skills necessary
• Driving license class B desirable

We offer an exciting job in a project on a current and highly relevant research topic. You will work on interesting, challenging and practice-oriented topics in a dynamic research institute characterized by lively interdisciplinary exchange.

We support the compatibility of work and family and are the holder of the audit berufundfamilie certificate. In order to support the compatibility, the Thünen Institute offers, among other things, flexible working time models, home office and teleworking within the scope of the official possibilities.

The employment relationship is based on the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD). Salary payment is in accordance with pay group 13 of the TVöD.

The Thünen Institute promotes professional equality between women and men and therefore expressly welcomes applications from women.

The Thünen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly welcome. They will be given special consideration in the selection process.

For further inquiries please contact Dr. Caroline Buchen-Tschiskale (caroline.buchen-tschiskale@thuenen.de).

Please send your application (electronically as one document) with a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae in tabular form with an overview of your training and career path and copies of certificates and two references (if possible) using the reference 2023-052-AK-DeniDrain by April 3, 2023 to:

ak-bewerbungen@thuenen.de

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut

Thünen-Institut für Agrarklimaschutz

Bundesallee 65

38116 Braunschweig

Information in accordance with Article 13 DSGVO on the collection of personal data can be found at www.thuenen.de/daten.