PhD Position: Rhizosphere spatiotemporal organization - A key to rhizosphere function

Work group:

IBG-3 - Agrosphäre

PHD Thesis

At the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) we conduct research to improve our understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in terrestrial systems. A combination of experiments, modelling, and innovative observation technologies is used to bridge the gap between model, process, and management scale. Our research contributes to the sustainable and resource-conserving use of soils and water and to the quantification of the effect of climate and land use change on terrestrial ecosystems. Further information on our mission can be found here: https://www.fz-juelich.de/ibg/ibg-3/EN/ target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">

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Your Job:

Within the DFG funded priority program (PP) “Rhizosphere spatiotemporal organization – a key to rhizosphere function" https://www.ufz.de/spp-rhizosphere/ target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">">www.ufz.de/spp-rhizosphere/ we are seeking a motivated PhD student to investigate the impact of the rhizosphere processes (root hairs) on soil-plant water relations and drought tolerance in maize. Your specific tasks will be:

• Carry out lab scale experiments in long columns with wild-type and hairless maize mutants to investigate the impact of root hairs on plant water stress in two different soils and to investigate the distribution of water uptake from a soil profile.
• To assist in the monitoring of a long term field experiments.
• To develop a model that represents the effect of root hair on root water uptake.
• To apply a root water uptake model to interpret data from lab and field experiments.

The project is part of a nationwide, interdisciplinary community on rhizosphere research. The project will be conducted in close collaborator with the University of Bayreuth and with the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ Leipzing/Halle. The working place is Forschungszentrum Jülich.

Your Profile:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, biology, soil science, engineering, physics or geoscience.
• Experience in soil physics, plant physiology, measurements and modelling of water movement through the soil- plant-atmosphere continuum would be an advantage
• Flexibility to attend regular project-internal meetings in Germany, to participate in international scientific conferences and to conduct some of the planned analyses at cooperation partners in Germany.
• Ability to work independently in the lab and in the field and motivation to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Good written and oral communication skills in English.
• Experience with soil and plant sensing methods and modelling is welcome.

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:

• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
• 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: https://www.fz-juelich.de/judocs target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">
• Targeted">www.fz-juelich.de/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 is in line with 65% 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_DocsIn your application please include a CV, Diploma and transcripts of records (BSc and MSc) and motivation statement (max. two pages).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.