PhD Candidate for Drivers and Consequences of Changing Plant-Microbe Interactions in Peatlands (0.8 - 1.0 FTE)

• Employment: 0.8 - 1.0 FTE
• Gross monthly salary: € 2,434 - € 3,111
• Faculty of Science
• Required background: Research University Degree
• Application deadline: 22 October 2021

Peatlands store vast amounts of carbon - twice as much as all the world's forests. However, rapid climate change is affecting this storage function. As a PhD Candidate, you will focus on how the climate and environment affect plant-soil biotic interactions in peatlands. Your research can further highlight the importance of protecting these areas and their vital role as a natural carbon sink. 

Metre by metre, peatlands store more carbon (C) than any other terrestrial ecosystem. The rapidly changing climate is, however, affecting the C storing function of peatlands. Peatland carbon dynamics pivot around processes - primarily production and decomposition - that are modulated by above- and belowground biotic communities. While the importance of links between plant and soil biotic communities on ecosystem processes is recognised, little is known about the role of these links in maintaining key ecosystem processes. Moreover, our recent work shows that plant and microbial communities do not respond in parallel to changes in enviro-climatic conditions, resulting in a rewiring of plant-soil biotic networks. How such rewiring plays out on C dynamics remains unresolved.
In this PhD project, you will unravel how climate and the environment affect plant-soil biotic interactions. Specifically, you will quantify the functional role of plant-soil biota interactions in peatlands and assess how these interactions are affected by environmental and climatic conditions. In the light of this, you will identify core network interactions, their temporal stability, and enviro-climatological thresholds at which rewired network interactions aggravate important ecosystem processes, particularly carbon dynamics. The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed in this project. It is not construed to be an exhaustive list, and ample opportunity will be given to explore novel ideas and to break new ground in the field of peatland ecology and plant-soil interactions. In addition to the tasks as outlined above you will have a 10% teaching load.
Profile

We are seeking an enthusiastic, highly motivated candidate ecologist with a strong and proven interest in community ecology, microbial ecology and/or ecosystems ecology. You should hold or be about to complete an MSc degree (or equivalent) in ecology, microbiology, environmental sciences, or a related field. The ideal candidate is pro-active, results-oriented with attention to detail, and performs well in large teams. We specifically look for a person with an appetite for field work -often remote- in natural or semi-natural peatlands across Europe; a driving licence is required to be able to travel to field sites. Some basic knowledge about peatland vegetation would be favourable. Previous experience with molecular techniques (DNA extractions, sequencing), and soil functional analyses (GHG measurements, MicroRespTM) is preferred. You must be proficient in communication in written and verbal English. The following additional skills will be advantageous: good statistical skills; expertise in statistical modelling in the context of ecological network data; a good command of an open-source programming language (R, Python), or the willingness to learn such a language. Our group is dedicated to FAIR data policies, and we expect PhD candidates to familiarise themselves with FAIR data management and coding during their PhD. 

Radboud University is committed to establishing and maintaining a diverse and inclusive community that collectively supports and implements our mission to do great science. We welcome, recruit, develop and advance talented people from diverse genders and backgrounds.

We are

Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology is a highly dynamic, collaborative and interdisciplinary department. We are a young, ambitious and internationally connected research group. We aim for both timely and innovative fundamental research and applied science that lie at the heart of society. Working at the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES; formerly known as the Institute for Water and Wetland Reseach) will provide you with opportunities to deepen interdisciplinary aspects of your research, investigating key ecological drivers and processes that explain the functioning of wetlands and the ecosystem services they provide. Your research will be embedded in ongoing research lines in the field of wetland ecology and plant-microbe interactions, and you will collaborate with colleagues from different universities and institutes in the Netherlands and beyond. The main supervisors for this PhD position are Dr Bjorn Robroek and Dr Annelies Veraart. Additional support will be provided by Dr Sarian Kosten and Prof. Leon Lamers.

Radboud University
We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!
We offer

• Employment for 0.8 (5 year contract) - 1.0 FTE (4 year contract).
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,434 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,111 from the fourth year onwards (salary scale P ).
• You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract) or 3.5 years (5 year contract).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services . Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions . You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.
Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Bjorn Robroek, Assistant Professor at +31 24 365 28 60 or [email protected] .

Practical information and applications
You can apply until 22 October 2021, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Bjorn Robroek. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• Letter of motivation.
• CV including contact details of two academic references.
• A brief (max. 1 page) overview of two key aspects of research within this theme you would focus on, which should also address changes in plant-microbe interactions as regulators in peatland ecosystem processes in a changing climate.
• A digital copy of your MSc degree certificate. If you have not yet completed your degree, please add a recommendation letter from your current advisor.

The first round of interviews will take place on 16 November. The second round will take place on 30 November. You would preferably begin employment on 1 February 2022.
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