Fully funded PhD program in Natural Sciences 1646 views

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry in association with the Friedrich Schiller University is offering a PhD program specializing in global biogeochemistry and related Earth System sciences.

Research areas:

• Improved understanding of biogeochemical processes with an emphasis on terrestrial ecosystems
• Development of observational techniques to monitor and assess biogeochemical feedbacks in the earth system
• Theory and model development for improving the representation of biogeochemical processes in comprehensive earth system models

Requirements:

• Applications are open to well-motivated and highly-qualified students from all countries.
• Applicants must hold (or are about to receive) a Master of Science or equivalent degree in natural sciences.
• Applicant must possess proficiency in English since English is the official language of the program.

Duration: 3 years

Starting date: Flexible

Funding: fully-funded

How to apply:

Apply online

Job Code: 01/2019

Available projects:

1. Linking atmospheric and landsurface observations for a better understanding of climate-biosphere interactions
2. Dimensions in trait variability on different spatial scales and organizational levels
3. Cavity enhanced Raman spectroscopy for highly sensitive monitoring of biogenic gases
4. Understanding land-atmosphere interactions in seasonally dry systems using lysimeters data
5. Quantifying and understanding climate extremes: effects on the terrestrial biosphere and society
6. Water-carbon-cycle interactions across scales
7. Integrating machine learning and traditional modelling for ecohydrology
8. Changes in global vegetation
9. Effects of bedrock or mineral soil (mineralogy) on bulk soil 14C-content: Implications for soil carbon turnover and climate change prediction
10. Quantification of biotic and abiotic impacts on soil carbon dynamics
11. Influence of plant and soil diversity on molecular composition of dissolved organic matter
12. How elevated CO2 affects soil carbon turnover and nutrient mobilization by modifying interactions between plants and soil organisms
13. Effect of tree planting, species composition and diversity on soil organic carbon storage and turnover
14. Reconstruction of subsurface flow networks in the critical zone using natural organic tracers