PhD position in modelling root-soil interaction available
For our Institute of Bio- and Geosciences - Agrosphere (IBG-3), we are seeking a
PhD Student
(with a degree in Natural Sciences / Engineering Sciences/Applied Mathematics)
for a three-year project.
The Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Agrosphere (IBG-3) conducts research to improve our understanding of hydrological and biogeochemical processes in terrestrial systems. Its research contributes to the sustainable and resource-conserving use of soils and water.
This PhD position is part of the BMBF funded project “Soil3” on sustainable subsoil management. Tasks involve the development of virtual soil-root systems based on existing simulation models like R-SWMS and RootBox. Data that will be provided by the different project partners, in particular data from long-term agricultural field experiments will be analysed and used for model calibration and validation. An essential part of this project is to use the virtual soil-root system to carry out scenario analyses on the effect of different subsoil management methods on plant resource uptake efficiency.
For further information visit our website http://www.fz-juelich.de/ibg/ibg-3/EN/Home/home_node.html or contact Prof. Jan Vanderborght, Phone: 
+49 2461 61-2281, e-mail: j.vanderborght@fz-juelich.de or Prof. Andrea Schnepf, Phone: +49 2461 61-2281, email: a.schnepf@fz-juelich.de.
Your Profile:
- MSc degree (or equivalent) in natural or engineering sciences with an overall grade of at least good; preferable with knowledge about soil science and soil physics.
- Experience in mathematical modelling and/or programming are of advantage.
- Ability to write scientific papers for publication in scientific journals.
- Since the work involves cooperation with several research institutes, good communication and organisational skills are essential.
We Offer:
- Working in an interdisciplinary environment as well as excellent facilities for experimental and numerical simulation studies,
- Opportunities of being part of the national and international scientific community. PhD students are encouraged to attend international conferences and a three months research stay abroad with a cooperating partner is planned.
- Specialized courses, summer schools, seminars by renown experts
Equal opportunities are a cornerstone of our staff policy for which we have received the "TOTAL E-QUALITY" award. Therefore applications from women and disabled persons are welcome. Payment of the PhD fellow will be based on salary grade 13/2 Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD). Depending on the candidate's profile and the subject of his/her PhD thesis an additional allowance may be granted (up to 75% TVöD EG 13).
Please send your application - quoting the reference number and the position of interest - with the relevant documentation to:
Mr. K. Beumers,
Institut für Bio- und Geowissenschaften,
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH,
52425 Jülich,
Germany.
e-mail: k.beumers@fz-juelich.de