PhD position: Plant Nutrition/Biogeochemistry

Date of publication: 15 September 2013

Employer: ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, www.ethz.ch)

Affiliation:
Group of Plant Nutrition of the ETH (www.plantnutrition.ethz.ch)

Workplace:
ETH Research Station Lindau (www.ias.ethz.ch/researchstation/eschikon)

Research project:
This PhD position is part of the project "The phosphorus cycle in forest ecosystems as revealed by analysis of the isotopic composition of oxygen associated to phosphate” carried out in collaboration with Prof Y Oelmann (University of Tübingen) and Dr T Pütz (Jülich research center) in the framework of the SPP 1685 (ecosystem nutrition) of the German Research Foundation.

Thisposition is funded by the Swiss National Foundation.

Job description:
The PhD student will analyze processes controlling the transfer of phosphorus (P) between the soil and vegetationin selected beech forest ecosystems in Germany. This will include a characterization of P pools in the vegetation and soil, an analysis of the changes in P forms during degradation of leaf and root material, and the measurement of the turnover of organic P compounds in forest litter and soil. This research will be based on the analysis of oxygen isotopes associated to P, and on the use of P radioisotopes and of C stable isotopes.

Requirements:
Applicants must hold a Master of Sciences in forest, agricultural orenvironmental sciences with excellent grades. The MScmust entitle the candidate to start PhD studies at the ETH Zurich (see www.ethz.ch/doctorate/ for more information).
The candidate needs:
·         A good background in isotope techniques and experience in the laboratory (wet chemistry);
·         The willingness to conduct intensive lab work
·         Good statisticalbackground and experience with appropriate software;
·         Excellent skills in written andspoken English. Communication in German is a clear advantage.
·         A driving license;
·         To be team oriented, enthusiastic, innovative, and accurate.

Start: 1st November 2013

Duration: 3 years

Application deadline: 15thOctober 2013 or until the position is filled

Additional information:
The PhD student will be supervised by Prof Emmanuel Frossard, Dr Federica Tamburini and Dr EK Bünemann from theGroup of Plant Nutrition at ETH.
Salary will be according to ETH standards.
For further inquiries please contact Prof E. Frossard

How to apply:
Please send your application with 1) a letter ofmotivation, 2) your curriculum vitae includinglist of publications, 3) a copy of  your MSc thesis and of your MSc diploma, 4)the list of gradesyou obtained during your BSc and MSc (withtranslations of all documents unless they are in German, English or French), and 4) the contact information of two persons (including their current e-mail addresses) willing to provide aletter of recommendation.

Send application toEmmanuel Frossard (emmanuel.frossard@usys.ethz.ch) with “P im Wald application” as subject
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