Vacancies May 20 2024
Risk Assessment in Modelling Solute Transport at Wageningen University, Netherlands
The Environmental Risk Assessment team at Wageningen University and Research is looking for a new colleague to strengthen the team, with a background in modelling of water flows, hydrology, system analysis and/or environmental science. You will contribute to the further development, application and testing of our surface water transport model TOXSWA, which is applied on local and on catchment scale. You will take the role of researcher in some projects and, when applicable, lead relevant projects with a variety of clients (government agencies, NGOs, and industries). More details of the vacancy can be found here
4-year postdoc position on Subsoil Health and Ecosystem Services at UCLouvain (Belgium)
The Earth and Life Institute/Environmental Sciences (ELIE) seeks a postdoctoral research associate who will investigate subsoil functions and the ecosystem services they provide. While considerable research has focused on topsoil layers, subsoil layers (those below 30 cm depth) remain largely unexplored. Within the scope of the EU-funded DeepHorizon project, our objective is to quantify the functions and threats of subsoils and to develop strategies for enhancing their management. Your responsibilities will involve conducting research on subsoil ecosystem service quantification and subsoil optimal management, as well as contributing to project coordination. The ideal candidate will possess a track record of academic publishing, relevant expertise in the field, strong written and oral communication skills, and significant experience in quantitative analysis of environmental datasets (e.g., utilizing Matlab, R, or Python). A PhD in environmental science or a related field is required at the commencement of the position, which starts on October 1st, 2024. Further details can be found here: https://javaux.wixsite.com/soilroothydraulics/post/four-year-postdoc-position-on-subsoil-health-and-ecosystem-services-at-uclouvain
4-yr PhD grant on "Subsoil hydraulic properties and their relations to roots" at UCLouvain (Belgium)
In the framework of the EU-project DeepHorizon, we are looking for a PhD candidate on subsoil hydraulic properties and their relationship with roots. Within the scope of the EU-funded DeepHorizon project, we aim at collecting subsoil samples across Europe down to 2m-depth in 40 sites, representative of the European pedoclimatic diversity. This unique sampling campaign will allow us to analyze in depth biological, physical, and chemical properties of a broad range of subsoil horizons. Your PhD will focus on the physical and hydraulic properties of these horizons and how these subsoil characteristics impact root development. The ideal candidate will possess a significant experience in quantitative analysis of environmental datasets (e.g., utilizing Matlab, R, or Python). A Master degree whose training focuses primarily on (bio)physics, bioscience engineering, mathematics, or soil/environmental physics is required at the commencement of the position, which starts on October 1st, 2024. Further details can be found here: https://javaux.wixsite.com/soilroothydraulics/post/4-year-phd-position-subsoil-hydraulic-properties-and-root-distribution
PhD Position in Soil-Plant Hydraulics (2+2 years): Understanding the Impact of Soil Texture on Plant Responses to Drought
Within the framework of the UPSET project (Unravelling the Impacts of Plant-Soil Hydraulics on Stomatal Regulation), we are seeking a motivated PhD student. In UPSET, your task will be to investigate how soil hydraulic properties influence plant responses to drought. Rigorous drought experiments will be conducted on various substrates, with continuous monitoring and control of root and soil moisture levels. Additionally, measurements will be taken for stomatal aperture, hydraulic and chemical signals. Root and soil hydraulic conductances will be measured in the lab. We will analyze how short-term (through stomatal control and signaling) and long-term (through root and leaf development) mechanisms enable plants to cope with soil moisture limitations. The long-term goal is to analyze how plant resilience to drought is affected by environmental factors such as soil and climatic conditions.
The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in quantitative analysis of environmental datasets (e.g., utilizing Matlab, R, or Python) and a solid understanding of Soil Physics. A Master's degree primarily focused on (bio)physics, bioscience engineering, mathematics, or soil/environmental physics is required at the commencement of the position, starting on June 1st, 2024. Further details can be found here: https://javaux.wixsite.com/soilroothydraulics/post/urgently-looking-for-a-phd-student