Open PhD project: Molecular Fingerprints of Ecosystems as Early Warning Systems for Climate-Induced Changes
International Max Planck Research School for Global Biogeochemical Cycles
In cooperation with Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU), the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPI-BGC) houses a unique and flexible research program that grants German and foreign students a broad selection of learning opportunities while still maintaining a research focus. The International Max Planck Research School for Global Biogeochemical Cycles (IMPRS-gBGC) offers a PhD program specializing in global biogeochemistry and related Earth system sciences.
Homepage: https://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de/en/imprs
Climate: Past, Present & Future (CL)
Project description
Dissolved organic matter (DOM) is a critical component of the global carbon cycle, offering insights into ecosystem processes and health. Comprising a mixture of plant, microbial, and soil-derived compounds, DOM facilitates the assessment of plant-microbial interactions. This project aims to investigate how changing environmental parameters, such as precipitation, temperature, and extreme climate events, influence the molecular composition of DOM and how these changes can serve as early warning systems for ecosystem alterations.
The research will focus on the vulnerability of ecosystems to environmental changes, considering their vegetation and soil properties. It will utilize DOM samples from diverse ecosystems in Germany and tropical regions in Brazil. Advanced analytical techniques, such as ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry, will be employed to characterize DOM at the molecular level. The comprehensive DOM data will be related to weather and climate data using advanced statistical techniques.
This research will enhance the understanding of how climate extremes and environmental changes impact ecosystem health and stability. By identifying molecular changes in DOM, the project aims to deepen the understanding of altered plant-soil interactions and develop a sensitive early warning system for detecting ecosystem changes, contributing to climate adaptation strategies.
Working group
Molecular Biogeochemistry at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
Requirements
Applications to the IMPRS-gBGC are open to highly motivated and qualified students from all countries. Prerequisites for this PhD project are:
- a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, biogeochemistry, environmental science or other disciplines related to environmental sciences
- Lab skills
- experiences in mass spectrometry (high-resolution MS, such as FT-ICR-MS or Orbitrap) is of great advantage
- experiences with lipid biomarker are of advantage
- Computational skills
- handling large datasets
- skills in statistics an in data-science and programming (R, Matlab, or Python) are of advantage
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, knowledge of German is an asset.
The Max Planck Society (MPS) strives for gender equality and diversity. The MPS aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all fields. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.
Related Literature
Lange, M. et al. Plant diversity enhances production and downward transport of biodegradable dissolved organic matter. Journal of Ecology 109, 1284-1297 (2021). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2745.13556
Roth, V. N. et al. Persistence of dissolved organic matter explained by molecular changes during its passage through soil. Nature Geoscience 12, 755-+ (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41561-019-0417-4
Schroeter, S. A. et al. Hydroclimatic extremes threaten groundwater quality and stability. Nature Communications 16, 720 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-55890-2
Application deadline for the fully funded PhD positions is August 5th, 2025. Pre-interviews via web conference will be carried out and promising candidates will be invited to take part in our selection symposium (September 30th – October 1st, 2025).
Find out more and apply online: https://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de/en/imprs/career-application
The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. The Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.