Announcement of vacancies at the Johann Heinrich von Thuenen Institute:
The Institute of Climatesmart Agriculture of the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forests and Fisheries, at the Braunschweig site, is seeking to recruit from 01.01.2023 for a limited period until 30.09.2026 a Scientific Staff Member (m/f/d) (Geoecology, Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Sciences) with 65% of the regular weekly working time to work on the collaborative project “Site-differentiated assessment and crediting of the use of nitrification inhibitors as a climate protection measure in plant cultivation” (NitriKlim). The project work enables the applicant to further his/her own scientific education, so that the job offer is is aimed in particular at applicants who wish to pursue a doctorate.
About 80% of the emissions of the greenhouse gas N2O in Germany stem from agriculture and are primarily the result of soil-microbiological nitrogen (N) transformations of organic and mineral nitrogen fertilisers. Associated ammonia emissions contribute indirectly to N2O emissions. The losses reduce the fertiliser effect and an increase in fertiliser efficiency can in turn reduce these gaseous emissions. The use of nitrification inhibitors can reduce direct N2O emissions, but their effects and interactions are still uncertain for German growing conditions and there are still open questions regarding the environmental fate of the active substances.
The focus of ‘NitriKlim’ is the site-adapted assessment of the environmental and yield benefits of the use of nitrification inhibitors in nitrogen fertilisation. The joint project, in which 9 research institutes are involved, uses a Germany-wide network of coordinated field and laboratory experiments to evaluate, model and regionalise the effects of nitrification inhibitors on nitrogen dynamics, efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions as well as environmental risks associated with the use of inhibitors. Finally, possible climate protection effects are to be evaluated for the public and mapped in Germany’s greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The approach pursued here contributes to the long-term goal of the “Arable Farming Strategy 2035”. The position is integrated in a working group “ammonia emission reduction in agriculture”.
Job description:
– Conducting, supervising and scientifically evaluating field trials for the assessment of nitrification inhibitors for the reduction of direct N2O emissions and their impact on emissions of NH3 in the field of application of synthetic and organic nitrogen fertilisers
– Supervision and scientific evaluation of field trials for the assessment of continuous use of nitrification inhibitors with regard to their inhibition effect and yield efficiency
– Conducting, supervising and scientifically evaluating laboratory experiments on the effect of different of different inhibitor active substances on the reduction of GHG emissions using soils with different of different inhibitor application histories
– Co-operation with collaborative partners on the environmental chemical and microbiological evaluation of the inhibitor use
– Statistical analysis and graphical presentation of test results
– Writing of scientific publications and research reports
Requirements:
– Completed scientific university studies (Master or Univ. Diploma) in the field of in the field of geoecology, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences or related qualifying courses of study
– Knowledge in the fields of soil science, agriculture, nitrogen fertilisation and nitrogen conversion are desirable
– Interest in experimental field trials
– Good knowledge of statistics and experience in scientific data analysis
– Programming skills in R and proficient use of Microsoft Office programmes
– High motivation, ability to work independently, ability to work in a team and interest in scientific work
and willingness to do a doctorate
– Very good written and spoken English, command of German language advantegeous
– Car driving licence for travel to the experimental sites
– Physical fitness and willingness to do regular experimental field work
We offer a varied activity on a current research topic in an interdisciplinary project in which other Thuenen Institutes are involved. You will work on interesting, challenging and practically relevant topics in a dynamic research institute, characterised by lively interdisciplinary exchange.
We support the compatibility of work and family and are the holder of the audit “beruf und familie certificate”. In order to support the compatibility, the Thünen Institute offers, among other things, flexible working time models, home office and teleworking within the scope of the official possibilities. Part-time employment is generally possible.
The employment relationship is based on the provisions of the collective agreement for the public service (TVoeD). The salary is paid according to remuneration group 13 of the TVoeD if the requirements are met. The Thuenen Institute promotes professional equality between women and men and therefore expressly welcomes applications from women.The Thuenen Institute is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore expressly welcome. They will be given special consideration in the selection process. Please direct any queries to Dr. Andreas Pacholski (andreas.pacholski@thuenen.de ).
Please send your application (electronically as one document) with a letter of motivation, a curriculum vitae in table form with an overview of your educational and professional career, and copies of certificates by 15.11.2022 to: ak-bewerbungen@thuenen.de
reference:
2022-318-AK-NitriKlim
Johann Heinrich von Thuenen Institute
Thünen Institute for Agricultural Climate Protection
Bundesallee 65
38116 Brunswick
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Von:
Dr. Pacholski
andreas.pacholski@thuenen.de
Thuenen Institute of Climate Smart Agriculture
Braunschweig, Germany