PhD position on  Regulation of the organic matter processing / C-turnover in the
land-water interfaces available at Research Station Bad Saarow (near Berlin), Germany

 
BTU will establish a graduate research cluster “Signatures of Disturbed  Landscapes” in October 2017. The cluster comprises 5 projects focussing on coupled abiotic and biotic aspects of aquatic and terrestrial subsystems and their interactions in disturbed landscapes. Processes of carbon turnover are used as an example to investigate the effects of disturbance on element fluxes inside and from the disturbed area.

 
The announced position in subproject “Transformation of Organic Matter” shall investigate the regulation of the turnover of organic matter (OM) in dynamic land-water interfaces. We propose the specific spatio-temporal pattern of water availability and recent OM in disturbed landscapes to cause a special regulation of the OM decomposition and mineralisation in soils and surface waters. Field investigations on processing of labelled litter as well as measurements of respiration rates and CO2 emission along moisture and vegetation gradients in and around ephemeral streams will be conducted. These shall be complemented by experiments in laboratory microcosms and outdoor experimental streams.

 
We are looking for motivated graduate in geosciences, soil science, limnology, ecology, or comparable fields. Interest and commitment in basic research and willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team are essential. Experiences with isotope analysis or biogeochemical methods are beneficial. Applicant need a driving licence, working language is English. PhD shall be achieved as cumulative dissertation based on publications in peer reviewed journals.
The work site is Research Station Bad Saarow, near Berlin, Germany.

 
Successful applicant is expected to start research in October/November 2017 and the grant will be tenable for 36 months. The amount of the grant is 1600 euros per month. The GRS will also offer a child allowance for doctoral candidates with children (200 euro/child/month). Successful candidates will have access to additional funding of the GRS for their doctoral research (e.g. mobility grants etc.). Additional means for material are available.

 
Please send application including CV, certificates and transcripts, letter of motivation. Apply as soon as possible, deadline is 31.07.2017. Please send application as one PDF via e-mail to Prof. M. Mutz (m.mutz@b-tu.de).

 
For further information please don’t hesitate to contact Michael Mutz (m.mutz@b-tu.de).