PhD Student (f/m/d) for the investigation of radionuclide transport and transfer in the soil-plant system

Through cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) solves some of the pressing societal and industrial challenges of our time. Join our 1.400 employees from more than 50 nations at one of our six research sites and help us moving research to the next level!

The Institute of Resource Ecology performs research to protect humans and the environment from hazards caused by pollutants resulting from technical processes that produce energy and raw materials.

As part of the Institute, the Department of Biogeochemistry invites applications as PhD student (f/m/d) for the investigation of radionuclide transport and transfer in the soil-plant system.

The position will be available from 1 January 2023. The employment contract is limited to three years, subject to project approval.
Your tasks:
- Investigation of the radionuclide speciation and the influence of the radionuclide transport in the presence of selected root exudates and their degradation products
- Identification of root exudates of radionuclide exposed plants
- Determination of thermodynamic complexation parameters
- Study of the radionuclide uptake in genetically modified plant cells in comparison to the wild type
- Publication of the scientific results in international journals and at conferences

Your profile:
- Very good Master’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry or in a comparable field of natural science
- Demonstrable knowledge of analytical and spectroscopic methods
- Experience in the identification of organic substances with chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods would be desirable
- Personal commitment, ability to work in a team, experimental skills
- Willingness to work with radioactive materials
- Very good communication skills in English
- Interest in interdisciplinary cooperation

Our offer:
- A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
- Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
- A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here
- The employment contract is limited to three years
- Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
- We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of flexible working hours
- Numerous company health management offerings
- An employer subsidy for the VVO job ticket

Kindly submit your completed application (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.) only via our Online-application-system: https://www.hzdr.de/db/Cms?pNid=490&pLang=en&pOid=67127