The UFZ
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.
The job
Floodplains are complex ecosystems where surface water and groundwater interact. They are inherently dynamic environment that host the highest biodiversity in temperate regions and are shaped by a number of natural and anthropogenic processes. They are also regarded as significant sinks of atmospheric carbon. Yet, they remain understudied because their spatial heterogeneity and temporal variability makes it difficult to constrain biogeochemical fluxes accurately.
For several years, our group has been successfully monitoring multiple floodplain sites that include lakes, groundwater, and the Elbe River. This effort is rarely found both in national and international research contexts.
We are now looking for a highly motivated PhD student to deepen our understanding of carbon fluxes from the floodplains near Magdeburg, Germany. Through high-frequency field campaigns, we aim to quantify particulate organic carbon (POC) stored in sediments as well as carbon depositions from suspended matter resulting from recent flood events in order to determine how much organic carbon is removed from the atmosphere and stored in floodplains over long periods of time. Ultimately, the goals of our project are to contribute to scientific progress by filling current gaps in the literature, and to extrapolate carbon stocks and storage rates along the middle and lower Elbe River.
Your tasks
- Conduct high-frequency field campaigns and contribute to methodological implementations
- Collect, analyze, and interpret data
- Quantify carbon storage and burial rates and assess the role of floodplains as long-term carbon sinks
- Engage in constructive teamwork with group members, technicians, and students
- Collaborate closely with team members and project partners to synthesize results and contribute to joint publications
- Attend group meetings and seminars
- Present results and progress to co-workers, working partners, and authorities
- Publish key findings in scientific journals
- Contribute in the preparation of technical reports
We offer
- Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
- The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
- The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
- Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
- Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
- A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
- Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
- Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
- A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity
Your profile
- Master or Bachelor degree in Hydrology, Geology, Ecology, Earth System Sciences, or relevant fields.
- High motivation to work in the field
- Curiosity and strong analytical skills
- Ability to work independently as well as in a multidisciplinary and international team
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Knowledge of German is appreciated for field activities, but not mandatory
- Previous relevant working/internship experiences are advantageous
- Familiarity with R or Python is a plus
Place of work
Magdeburg
Working time
65 % (25,35 h / week)
Contract limitations
limited contract / 3 years
Salary
Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.
Contact
Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Marlene Dordoni (email: marlene.dordoni@ufz.de)
Your application
Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.
Diversity and Inclusion
The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.
