University of Hamburg

University of Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society.

Homepage: https://www.uni-hamburg.de/en.html

We are looking for a PhD student working in the project “Arctic greenhouse gas sinks: exploring coldspots of methane and nitrous oxide in the permafrost domain (COLDSPOT)”, funded by the European Research Council. The PhD position will be part of a new research group established in close collaboration between the Alfred-Wegener Institute and the University of Hamburg.

The release of greenhouse gases from the terrestrial biosphere is of global importance. The Arctic is a net source of the greenhouse gases methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and a biogeochemically important ecosystem due to immense soil carbon and nitrogen pools and above-average warming. An observation-bias in Arctic greenhouse gas reporting towards high-emitting ‘hotspot’ sites is evident. COLDSPOT will focus on sites in the Arctic that act as CH4 and N2O sinks, removing these climate-relevant gases from the atmosphere.

This exciting PhD project will explore the biogeochemical and microbial functioning of these trace gas sinks by a combination of field measurements and novel laboratory experiments with samples from diverse Arctic locations in Canada, Finland, and Greenland. These include, for example, incubation experiments with nutrient and temperature manipulation treatments, and measurements of microbial gene abundances.

We are looking for a highly-motivated candidate with an interest in soil greenhouse gas dynamics, and in particular an interest to explore how underlying processes in the plant-soil-microbe continuum regulate greenhouse gas fluxes. We provide the opportunity to work in a dynamic team of experts, and to use state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. The PhD student is expected to participate in field expeditions and collaborate closely with team members and project partners, including research visits to other institutes. Scientific results have to be presented in scientific meetings and conferences as well as through publications in scientific journals. PhD candidates are members of our graduate school which aims to help young academics thrive through all stages of their training.

Your profile

- M.Sc. degree in a relevant field
- Experience and interest in biogeochemistry, microbiology, geosciences or a related field
- Experience in conducting practical work in the field and/or laboratory
- Ability to conduct independent work
- Willingness to participate in multi-week field expeditions to remote Arctic sites and work in diverse research teams
- Strong oral and written communication skills including a proficiency in English

Along with the application, please provide us with a cover letter, copies of degree certificates, list of publications (if any), and a CV including names and contact details of two references.

Use our website to submit your application and for more information about the position.