Chair of Soil Physics, The Chair of Soil Physics at the Faculty of Biology, Chemistry and Geosciences, University of Bayreuth, Germany, offers a PhD position (m/f/d) in Soil Physics
The position starts in October 2023 and is limited until 30.09.2026, and serves to promote a scientific qualification (doctorate). The remuneration is based on salary group 13 TV-L in part-time 65%.
The Chair of Soil Physics aims at the understanding and characterization of mass and energy fluxes in soils, including the non-linear feedbacks between plants, soil ecology and soil chemistry. Research topics include, but not limited to:
- Multiscale experimental quantification of water flow, solute transport, and heat flow in soils,
- Soil structure development and turnover
- Characterizing soil bio-physical properties at the pore and at the continuum scale,
- Multidisciplinary research and modelling of the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.
The group is part of the Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER) with more than 60 senior researchers and postdocs.
The Project:
Soils are dynamic systems and soil physical properties are constantly changing in time and in space. For example, the temporal variation of soil hydraulic properties affects water dynamics, such as evaporation/transpiration fluxes, groundwater recharge and solute transport and leaching.
However, these changes are not well understood, and they are not included in our theoretical concepts. We hypothesize that incorporating the temporal changes of soil hydraulic properties into state-of-the-art hydrological models will improve prediction of water dynamics, especially in the prospect of a changing climate.
Your job is to conduct laboratory and field experiments on characterizing short- and long-term changes of soil hydraulic properties and how they affect dynamic water flow.
Your profile:
- Master’s degree in environmental science or any related field (geo-ecology, agronomy, hydrology, geology, material science, numerical modelling, etc.)
- Solid background in environmental natural sciences with a focus in soil physics and/or soil hydrology.
- Interest in developing and conducting experimental hands-on work in lab and field conditions.
- Interest in test and develop models
- Ability to work independently and in a structured manner.
- Interest in developing your own research profile.
- Team spirit
- Very good knowledge of English (written and spoken)
What you can expect:
- Experience in modern experimental methods in soil physics
- Possibility to get teaching experience
- Constructive working atmosphere in a friendly, open-minded, interdisciplinary and international team
- Independent research activity for a doctorate in basic and application-oriented research in a socially relevant topic
- Network of exciting national and international scientists and the opportunity for research stays in other groups
- Flexible working hours
- Company health management
- Compatibility of family and career
The University of Bayreuth values the diversity of its employees and is expressly committed to the goal of gender equality. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants with children are very welcome.
The University of Bayreuth is a member of the Best Practice Network “Familie in der Hochschule e.V.”, and has successfully participated in the HRK audit “Internationalization of the University”. Persons with severe disabilities will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.
Please submit your application materials (CV and a 1 A4 page motivation letter) by 14.07.2023 online via the application portal of the University of Bayreuth, stating the password ‘Soil Physics‘.
The documents will be deleted after the position has been filled in accordance with data protection requirements. For questions regarding the advertised position, please contact Prof. Dr. Efstathios Diamantopoulos: efstathios.diamantopoulos@uni-bayreuth.de