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 is looking for the following position as of March 1st 2024 or later for a limited period of three years a

Research scientist (f/m/d) in the field of soil science/biogeochemistry

with 65% of the regular weekly working time to work in the DFG-funded project "AWESOME - A Warming Experiment to Elucidate Soil Organic Matter Dynamics in a Subarctic Ecosystem". The call is explicitly addressed to applicants who, in addition to their employment, wish to pursue their own further scientific education, in particular a doctorate.

Soil organic matter is of central importance for soil fertility and climate proetection. Global warming is changing the conditions under which soil organic matter is formed, decomposed and ultimately stabilised as a long-term resource. A large number of biogeochemical processes are strongly influenced by soil warming, making it difficult to predict net effects on soil carbon stocks. In this project, a geothermal gradient in northern Canada is established and studied to better understand the long-term effects of soil warming on biogeochemical and microbiological processes. The position advertised here is one of two PhD positions and therefore central to the successful development of the project.

Tasks

• Sampling and installation of measuring instruments in the Yukon Territory
• Vegetation survey and soil temperature mapping
• Analyzing the quality of soil organic matter (fractionation, biomarkers, spectroscopy, stable isotopes) and other soil chemical parameters
• Quantification and age determination of root biomass
• Publication and presentation of results in international journals and at scientific conferences

 Requirements

• Completed university degree (M.Sc., Univ. Diploma) in agricultural or environmental sciences, geography, geoecology or a comparable field of study
• Very good knowledge of soil science with a focus on biogeochemistry/ soil organic matter
• Experience with complex laboratory methods
• Experience with script-based statistical analysis (R) desirable
• Very good English skills (spoken and written)
• Independent working style and strong organizational skills

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 if the collective agreement and personal requirements are met.

The position to be filled is subject to the grant approval letter issued for the project and the sufficient availability of the allocated funds.

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.

If you have any questions about this job advertisement, please contact PD Dr. Christopher Poeplau (christopher.poeplau@thuenen.de, Tel.: 0531/ 596-2679).

Applications with the usual documentation (CV, cover letter, certificates) including the keyword “2023-284-AK” shall be sent by email as one pdf file until 22.12.2023 to

ak-bewerbungen@thuenen.de

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut

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/de/thuenen-institut/karriere.