PhD Researcher (f/m/x): Glacier forelands of the Alps

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

The job

Cooperating in the field of periglacial vegetation development with other Helmholtz centres, we offer a PhD position (f/m/x) to survey and analyse the development of vegetation and associated microbiomes in glacier forelands of the Alps.

Your tasks

• Collection of vegetation data in glacier forelands and surroundings
• Collection of soil and root samples
• Analyses of soil and root associated microbiomes through meta-barcoding
• Analysis of the link between vegetation and microbiome development as a function of (successional) time
• Scientific publications

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• Degree (Master, Diploma) in biology, ecology, geoecology or comparable courses of study
• Experience in the field of vegetation methods (vegetation surveys)
• Field work experience in soil and root sampling for microbiome analysis
• Lab skills to analyse the microbiome like DNA extraction, PCR, and sequencing
• Knowledge of the Northern Alpine flora
• Experience in high mountains and the ability to hike several hours a day and 1000 metres in altitude with luggage and equipment
• Orientation skills in the mountains
• Ability to work independently and solve unexpected problems
• Statistical skills (preferably in R), knowledge of data storage (databases) desirable
• Very good knowledge of English (communication in the working group, reading technical literature, writing technical articles)