Research associate in soil chemistry

The Department of Soil Chemistry and Pedology at the Institute of Soil Science and Land Evaluation of the University of Hohenheim (Germany) is seeking to fulfil the position of a research associate (f/m/d).

Research field: Soil chemistry and soil mineralogy

Duration: 3 years, extension possible

Starting date: 1.7.24, or negotiable

Submission deadline for applications: 26.4.2024

Project: The project aims to elucidate the processes of flocculation of dissolved organic matter (DOM) with metals. Formation of flocs will be studied from a variety of soil-derived DOM together with cations characteristic of certain pedogenic milieus and cationic contaminants. The reactivity of the evolved flocs and DOM towards metals will be studied by static batch and kinetic (stopped-flow) experiments. Reaction products will be characterized by spectrocopic techniques for their structure and composition and by chemical/thermal methods for their stability.

Your profile: I am looking for a dynamic, motivated, and serious researcher with an outstanding master degree in agricultural science, environmental science, geoscience or a related field with a strong focus on soil chemistry and soil mineralogy. You have an attested comprehensive knowledge on chemical processes in soil and the minerals and soil organic matter involved, and you are used to work independently. You are experienced with soil-chemical laboratory methods (e.g. extractions) and spectroscopic methods such as infrared and UV-vis spectroscopy. You have a very good command in spoken and written English. International candidates are highly encouraged to apply. German language skills are recommended for interaction with students and non-scientific staff. You are willing to support courses in study programmes taught by the department. You are expected to present the results of the project at international conferences and to publish the outcomes of the project in peer-reviewed journals. A driving license and experience in field work is of great advantage. 

Our offer: Payment will be according to the tariff for German civil service employees (TV-L) at salary level 13 (50%). The position is mainly addressed to young researchers holding a master’s degree, who can obtain a PhD degree within the project, but the position is also open to more experienced scientists already holding a PhD degree. Salary can be risen by additional funds from third-party projects for PhDs.

Please send a single pdf file to Prof. Thilo Rennert ([email protected]) that inlcudes: complete curriculum vitae, copies of qualifications (international applicants: please add an explanation of the grade system), list of chemical lab methods/spectroscopic techniques you have personally applied, publication list if applicable, certificate of language test, information on driving license, statement of research interests (applicants with a PhD degree). Incomplete or segmented applications will not be considered. 

The University of Hohenheim aims to increase the percentage of female employees. If equally qualified, preference will be given to female applicants. Individuals with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply as well. 

Information on our previous work: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Thilo-Rennert