PhD Position – Biogeochemical Soil and Rhizosphere Modeling

The work will be part of the project “Combining ROot contrasted Phenotypes for more resilient agro ecosystems” (CROP) funded within the program of the German Ministry for Education and Science (BMBF) “Plant roots and soil ecosystems: Importance of the rhizosphere for the bioeconomy” in the framework of the “National Research Strategy Bioeconomy 2030”. In collaboration with the university, the project aims to assess the beneficial effects of cultivar mixtures with complementary root phenotypes within an agricultural field. We evaluate the benefits of the cropping system in terms of water, carbon, and nitrogen fluxes, microbial communities, and yield. We use complementary experimental methods and modeling to achieve this goal. Your work will build on the process-based soil-rhizosphere-plant model developed in the first phase of CROP which integrates a 3D functional-structural approach (CPlantBox) to mechanistically simulate plant growth, plant-soil interactions, and the rhizosphere microbiome. You will contribute to extending and applying the modeling approach for calculating water, carbon, and nitrogen fluxes in the plant and soil to evaluate nitrogen use efficiency and drought resistance at critical stages of plant development. You will work in an interdisciplinary team with postdoctoral researchers from Jülich and Hohenheim.

Your tasks in detail:

• Extending the existing model to account for mucilage effects on soil hydraulic properties and growth of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi associated to plant roots
• Literature research and (meta-)analysis to gain evidence-based knowledge for model parameterization
• Model conditioning with experimental data from phase I and II
• Performing scenario simulations and analyzing simulation results
• Implementing and using a drought resilience and nitrogen use efficiency assessment framework with experimental data and simulation results
• Presenting and publishing results at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals

• Master’s degree in bioengineering, environmental sciences, soil science, or applied mathematics
• Knowledge of plant science, soil science, and microbial ecology
• Solid understanding of differential calculus
• Programming skills
• Independent and cooperative working in an international, interdisciplinary team across institutes
• Very good communication and organizational skills
• Very good command of the English language

Please feel free to apply for the position even if you do not have all the required skills and knowledge. We may be able to teach you missing skills during your induction.

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Competent and interdisciplinary working environment, as well as an excellent framework in the areas of experiments and modeling
• Vibrant international work environment on an attractive research campus, ideally situated between the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Aachen
• Attendance at national and international conferences and workshops
• Possibility for further scientific and technical training through international experts
• Exceptional research infrastructure
• Flexible working hours
• Continuous professional supervision by your scientific supervisor
• Extensive company health management
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
• 30 days of annual leave and an attractive regulation for bridging days
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere in Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits.

The employment of doctoral researchers at Jülich is governed by a doctoral contract, which usually has a term of three years. Pay is above average and in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60% of a monthly salary as special payment (“Christmas bonus”). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, personal orientation / identity, and social, ethnic, and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities, in which everyone can realize their potential, is important to us.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible via the "Apply now" button.