University of Bayreuth

Homepage: https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/

The University of Bayreuth is a research-oriented university with an internationally competitive and interdisciplinary profile in research and teaching. The Chair of Soil Physics is seeking to fill the position of a PhD student (m/f/d) limited to three years at a potential start date July 01, 2025. Remuneration will be in accordance with pay group 13 TV-L (65 %) and holds the possibility to gain a PhD.

Your research topic:

You will investigate how soil structure changes depending on land use, management and environmental factors and how this influences the turnover of organic carbon. By combining field experiments, laboratory experiments and the use of 3D X-ray computed tomography, the mechanisms of structural turnover and their effects on soil functions will be investigated. The results will show how different site characteristics (soil management , root systems, earthworm abundance and climatic conditions) influence soil structure and organic carbon turnover.

Examples: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2023.116464 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-29605-w , https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13233

Your tasks:
- Supervision and evaluation of field trials at several locations in Germany
- Investigate environmental factors on soil structure and carbon turnover under different land uses using laboratory and field studies
- Use X-ray computed tomography and new image processing tools to quantify soil structure turnover, soil structure development and carbon turnover
- Publish your results in international journals and present them at scientific conferences
- Work in a strong scientific cooperation between the University of Bayreuth, the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research and the Martin Luther University Halle

Your profile:

- You have a very good Master’s degree in geoecology, soil science, environmental sciences, biology, biochemistry, biophysics or a comparable field
- You are enthusiastic to exploring complex processes in soils, you are self-motivated, communicative and enjoy working in an international team
- You enjoy field work, laboratory work and data analysis
- You are interested in learning and implementing new 3D image processing tools and address interdisciplinary research
- You have very good English language skills; German is an advantage but not required
- You have some first experiences in conducting laboratory or field experiments
- A driving license valid in Germany (B – car) would be an advantage

What we offer:

- excellent supervision and research infrastructure in a friendly, creative, supportive team with a constructive working atmosphere
- integration into national and international research networks
- flexible working hours
- attractive opportunities for further training and qualification (e.g. university teaching qualification)
- a good work-life balance and other public service benefits, e.g. JobRad (a bicycle leasing scheme), an attractive supplementary pension plan with the Federal and State Pension Scheme (VBL), a wide range of health promotion offers, e.g. health days, workshops, and the opportunity to participate in the university sports program

The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is expressly committed to the goal of equal opportunities for all genders. Applicants with children are also very welcome. The University of Bayreuth is a member of the best-practice club “Familie in der Hochschule e.V.” (Family in the University) and has successfully participated in the HRK audit “Internationalization of the University”. In case of equal qualifications, people with disabilities will be given preferential consideration.

Your application

Please apply online by April 13, 2025, quoting the keyword “SoilStructureTurnover” via the application portal of the University of Bayreuth:

https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/job-vacancy-keyword-soilstructureturnover-3fe18f230b9225b4

Your application should include a cover letter, CV, certificates (Bachelor, Master), a 1-page motivation latter as well as a very short summary of your Master thesis. The documents will be deleted in accordance with data protection regulations once the position has been filled.