PhD position - Applied hydrologic sciences

Work group:

IBG-3 - Agrosphäre

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Job description:

Your Job:

The BMBF funded OrganoRice project aims to support the production of organically produced rice in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Therefore, an interdisciplinary team analyses the current state of the economic, social, and environmental conditions, monitors changes during the transition from conventional to organic rice production and will provide recommendation for future planning.

The successful candidate will analyze pesticide residues in irrigation water and paddy rice fields in the landscape to provide information about the current pesticide background and will monitor pesticide concentrations in soil and water after transition to organic rice production.

• Prepare and perform regular soil and water sampling campaign in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam
• Develop appropriate extraction methods for the pesticides from soil samples
• Screen the extracts and water samples on pesticide residues using LC-MSMS
• Perform sorption and degradation experiments for selected pesticides
• Help to provide recommends for farmers, stakeholders and policy makers to establish organic rice production in the Mekong delta of Vietnam
• Contribute to an international research team, publish in international journals and present results at international conferences

Your Profile:

• University degree in either geosciences, agriculture, or chemistry
• Experience in laboratory work
• Knowledge in the areas of hydrology, pesticide research, soil sciences
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in an international, interdisciplinary team across institutes, very good communication and organizational skills
• Very good command of the English language
• Willingness to travel to Vietnam and to perform field work

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Vibrant international and interdisciplinary work environment on an attractive research campus, ideally situated between the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Aachen
• Attendance at national and international conferences and workshops
• Possibility for further scientific and technical training through international experts
• An exceptional research infrastructure
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The employment of doctoral researchers at Jülich is governed by a doctoral contract, which usually has a term of three years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.