Research Associate Position for the Project "CLICCS A1 Carbon Dynamics in the Arctic" (f/m/d)

Research Associate Position for the Project "CLICCS A1 Carbon Dynamics in the Arctic" § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

Responsibilities

Duties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications.

Specific Duties

We seek candidates for a PostDoc position in the Excellence Cluster 'Climate, Climatic Change, and Society' (CLICCS, https://www.cliccs.uni-hamburg.de/) funded by the German Research Foundation. The position is part of the project 'Carbon Dynamics in the Arctic' (CLICCS A1) aiming to quantify Arctic sinks and sources of carbon and nutrients in a changing climate. The project considers a multitude of approaches and scales including laboratory experiments, field observations and pedon-scale to global-scale model simulations. The open position will be part of the working group "Dynamics of Soil Processes" at the Institute of Soil Science. The research associate will study the impact of nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen, on plant productivity and carbon fluxes in permafrost-affected soils. Of particular interest is the link between nutrient fluxes (e.g. from N2-fixation) and carbon fluxes in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. This research will be based on a combination of Arctic field studies and controlled laboratory experiments and analysis. Element fluxes between soil, vegetation and atmosphere as well as the impact of microbial processes will be quantified under natural and highly controlled laboratory conditions using stable isotope techniques, incubations of soil mesocosms under a controlled climate, soil chemical and physical analysis and greenhouse gas flux measurements in the field and the laboratory. The fieldwork will be conducted in close cooperation with further researchers in the project.

Requirements

A university degree in a relevant field, plus doctorate. We seek enthusiastic applicants with a PhD in soil science, biogeochemistry, biology, geoscience, agronomy or a closely related field and expertise in:

• biogeochemical cycles in high-latitude soils
• laboratory experiments on soil microbial processes and nutrient, particularly nitrogen, turnover and nitrogen fixation
• field measurements of carbon and nitrogen turnover in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum including greenhouse gas emissions
• soil chemical analysis and greenhouse gas measurements
• application of stable isotope analysis in studies on carbon and nitrogen fluxes in soils
• organization and participation in Arctic land expeditions

The research associate will organize and participate in land expeditions to the Arctic lasting several weeks together with partners from CLICCS and further research projects. Applicants must have very good English skills in speaking and writing. The evaluation of the applicants will be based on their proven expertise and experience in the relevant fields of expertise and their publication record. Participation in expeditions to the Arctic and in field work is required.

We offer

• Reliable remuneration based on wage agreements
• Continuing education opportunities
• University pensions
• Attractive location
• Flexible working hours
• Work-life balance opportunities
• Health management
• Educational leave
• 30 days of vacation per annum

As a University of Excellence, Universität Hamburg is one of the strongest research universities in Germany. As a flagship university in the greater Hamburg region, it nurtures innovative, cooperative contacts to partners within and outside academia. It also provides and promotes sustainable education, knowledge, and knowledge exchange locally, nationally, and internationally.

Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.