12 Doktorandenstellen (65%), 2 Postdocstellen (100%), FACE2FACE: climate change and GHG reduction, Uni Gießen

Within the LOEWE - priority program "FACE2FACE - consequences of climate change, adaptation to climate change and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050", funded by the Hessian Ministry for Science and Art and carried out at the Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, the University of Geisenheim, the Max-Planck-Institute for terrestrial Microbiology Marburg and at the Philipps-University of Marburg the following positions are available from 01.01.2014 to 31.12.2016


12 positions (65 %) for doctoral students

2 positions (100 %) for post graduate researcher


Enumeration will be according to salary group 13 (Hessian wage agreement, TV–H).


The FACE2FACE priority program investigates the consequences of increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations on agricultural ecosystems including mitigation options for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Two FACE systems (Free Air Carbon Dioxide Enrichment) are available to investigate both short and long term effects of increased atmospheric CO2 concentration (expected conditions around the year 2050) on grassland, grapes and vegetables.


The following vacancies are available:


Work Package A 1: 2 Graduate Students


→Trace gas emissions from grassland (JLU Gießen)

Investigations of the impact of climate change on the release of climate-relevant trace gases from grassland. Associated soil measurements are carried out in close cooperation with other work packages to identify the abiotic and biotic factors for trace gas production. Identification of processes of trace gas emissions will be carried out via stable isotope methods.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average university degree (master or diploma) in a natural science or agricultural science discipline
• Sound knowledge of biogeochemical cycles (C-N cycle)
• Excellent knowledge of data analysis techniques
• Experience with laboratory and field experiments
• Experience in the mathematical formulation of ecological processes would be desirable.

Contact person: Prof. Christoph Müller PhD, christoph.mueller@bot2.bio.uni-giessen.de


→ Trace gas emission from speciality crops (HS Geisenheim)

Studies on the effect of enhanced CO2 levels on trace gas (N2O, CO2, CH4) emissions from soil under grapevine and horticultural crops. Gas analyses e.g. via photo acoustic spectroscopy.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average University degree (M.Sc., Dipl.) in Agricultural Sciences, Viticulture, Horticultural Sciences, Biology or related discipline
• Strong background in soil science and plant nutrition
• Knowledge of arable cropping
• Experience in statistical analysis.

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Otmar Löhnertz, otmar.loehnertz@hs-gm.de


Work Package A 2.1: 2 Graduate Students

→ Rhizosphere: nitrification-denitrification (MPItM Marburg)

The project aims at assessing the response of rhizosphere microbial communities to simulated global climate change, using a combination of conventional and modern “state-of-the-art� techniques. The ideal candidate has strong interest in molecular microbial ecology with emphasis on the application of modern sequencing technologies.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average university degree (master or diploma) in a natural science or agricultural science discipline
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas/techniques: modern sequencing technologies, quantitative PCR, RNA-based research, and applied bioinformatics
• Good knowledge in statistics and/or programming languages, such as Perl, Python, or R, would be of advantage.

Contact person: PD Dr. Werner Liesack, liesack@mpi-marburg.mpg.de


→ C-N dynamics in soil microbial activity (JLU Gießen)

Determination of microbial soil processes using various quantitative methods (photometry, gas chromatography, HPLC, isotope technics). Molecular detection of microorganisms involved in the carbon and nitrogen cycle.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average university degree (master or diploma) in a natural science or agricultural science discipline
• Practical experience in microbial, molecular, and quantitative-analytical methods
• Interest in microbial ecology and complex microbial interactions.

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Sylvia Schnell, sylvia.schnell@umwelt.uni-giessen.de


Work Package 2.2: 1 Graduate Student

→ Phyllosphere: Microbial Phyllobiome (JLU Gießen)

Working fields: Microbial ecology, microbiology, phytopathology. Focus of this project is the investigation of plant – microbe interactions in the plant phyllosphere with respect to changes affected by the global change. Microbial (bacterial and fungal) activity and community composition in the plant phyllosphere will be investigated.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average university degree (master or diploma) in a natural science or agricultural science discipline
• Strong interest on molecular microbial ecology and plant-microbe interactions
• the analysis of complex microbial communities (bacteria and fungi) in environmental samples
• Practical experience in nucleic acid extraction from environmental samples and molecular analysis of complex microbial communities e.g. Q-PCR-techniques, molecular fingerprinting or next generation sequencing techniques including statistical data analysis.

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Dr. Peter Kämpfer, peter.kaempfer@umwelt.uni-giessen.de


Work Package 2.3: 1 Graduate Student

→ Plant-pathogens interactions (HS Geisenheim)

Analysis of effects of enhanced CO2 levels on the interaction between grapevine and two of its key pests, causal agent of downy mildew, Plasmopara viticola and grape berry moth, Lobesia botrana. Acquisition of relevant data on biology and epidemiology of pest organisms. Analysis of differentially expressed plant defence genes through qPCR.

Relevant Qualification
• University degree (M.Sc., Dipl.) in Biology, Horticultural Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Viticulture or related discipline
• Strong background in plant protection and/or experience in molecular biological techniques.

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Annette Reineke, annette.reineke@hs-gm.de


Work Package 3.1: 2 Graduate Students

→ Metabolites & quality -vegetable crops (HS Geisenheim)

Investigating the impact of carbon dioxide enrichment and reduced water supply on quality of vegetables (compounds, sensory tests).Investigation of interacting environmental factors on product quality based on experimental data.

Relevant Qualification
• University degree (M.Sc., Dipl.) in Biology, Agricultural Sciences, Food Chemistry or related disciplines
• Strong background in plant physiology or food chemistry and the empathy to minimize the knowledge gap between them
• Experience in eco-physiological field trials and laboratory work
• Solid background in statistical analysis of field experiments.

Contact person: PD Dr. Katrin Kahlen, katrin.kahlen@hs-gm.de


→ Secondary metabolites & quality – grapevines (HS Geisenheim)

Investigating the impact of carbon dioxide enrichment on grapevine phenology, yield, physiology and secondary metabolites. This includes a range of eco-physiological measuring techniques (Photosynthesis, transpiration, etc.) as well as the analysis of various compounds (phenols, carotenoids and thiols) accountable for the quality of the final wine product as well as sensory assessments.
Relevant Qualification
• University degree (Dipl., M.Sc.) in Enology, Biology, Agricultural Sciences, Food Chemistry or related disciplines
• Strong background in plant physiology or food chemistry and the empathy to minimize the knowledge gap between them
• Experience in eco-physiological field trials or laboratory
• Solid background in statistical analysis of field experiments.

Contact person: Dr. Manfred Stoll, manfred.stoll@hs-gm.de


Work Package A 3.2: 2 Graduate Students

→ Population Dynamics, Phenology and Yield – Grassland (JLU Gießen)

You have successfully completed a scientific education (Master/Diplom) in biology, geoecology or agriculture and you have strong interest and knowledge in vegetation ecology, gas exchange methodology and design and evaluation of experiments. Ability to work in a team and advanced knowledge in writing and speaking english are essential.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average university degree (master or diploma) in a natural science or agricultural science discipline
• scientific services in organisation and execution of the research project
• analysis of phenology and canopy structure development
• design and development of a non-destructive methodology for the analysis of vegetation development
• gas exchange measurements and quantification of biomass production
• evaluation of experimental results and publication.

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Ludger Grünhage, ludger.gruenhage@bot2.bio.uni-giessen.de


→ Population Dynamics, Phenology and Yield -Vegetable Crops (HS Geisenheim)

Analysis of effects of enhanced ambient CO2-concentrations in combination with water stress on phenology and yield of field grown vegetable. Investigation of interacting environmental factors on water use efficiency and growth processes based on experimental data.

Relevant Qualification
• University degree (M.Sc., Dipl.) in Horticultural Sciences, Biology, Agricultural Sciences or related discipline
• Strong background in plant physiology and plant production systems
• Experience in measurement of plant-physiological data
• Solid knowledge in statistical analysis of field experiments.

Contact person: PD Dr. Katrin Kahlen, katrin.kahlen@hs-gm.de


Work Package B 1: 1 Post Graduate Researcher

→ Database Management and statistical Modelling (JLU Gießen)

Design and further development of the Data Warehouse (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/art...57495411100094X) of the research platform, the development of the web-based interface in collaboration with the Loewe partners, management of the data flow, maintenance of the data base, technical consulting and coordination of the scientific sub projects as well as communication and coordination related to data warehouse workshops. Development and Application of mathematical and statistical methods to detect patterns and structures in ecological data, study and analyse connections between GHG-Emissions and biotic and abiotic factors through applications of new statistical causality methods. Administrative and management duties.

Relevant Qualification
• Candidates should hold a PhD in natural sciences with a strong background in geoinformatics, experience in statistical modelling and in handling large data sets
• We expect very good knowledge of Geo-/Biodiversity-databank structures as well as their operation and design, knowledge in programming tools including i.e. Java, Apache Tomcat, PHP, MySQL etc., Map-Server technologies and web-based analysis tools (e.g. R interfaces)
• Applicants must provide evidence of high quality research and a very good publication record in peer-reviewed journals.

Contact person: Prof. Jürg Luterbacher PhD, juerg.luterbacher@geogr.uni-giessen.de


Work Package B 2: 1 Graduate Student

→ Statistical modeling and projection (University Marburg)

Statistical analysis and projection of climate and other environmental data, and of hyperspectral images of pasture grass ecosystems under CO2-enrichment and warming.

Relevant Qualification
• Candidates with an above-average degree in Geography or a comparable environmental science are invited for an application.
• Excellent knowledge in statistics and respective software (e.g. R, PLS regression etc.), digital image processing
• Required skills encompass pattern recognition techniques, statistical downscaling, a programming language and basic species classification knowledge for central European grassland ecosystems.

Contact person: Prof. Dr. Jörg Bendix, bendix@staff.uni-marburg.de


Work Package B 3: 1 Graduate Student

→ Dynamic process modeling (JLU Gießen)

Participation in the project mentioned above with a focus on environmental modeling; design, set up and test of a coupled, modular model for the simulation of biogeochemical and hydrological processes as well as plant growth under ambient and elevated CO2 concentrations; application of sensitivity as well as uncertainty analyses of the coupled model.

Relevant Qualification
• Above-average university degree (master or diploma) in a natural science or agricultural science discipline
• studies in environmental management, hydrology or geoecology
• experience in modeling and programming (Python preferred).

Contact person: PD Dr. Lutz Breuer, lutz.breuer@umwelt.uni-giessen.de


Work Package C: 1 Post Graduate Researcher

→ Synthesis of C and N turnover (JLU Gießen)

Coordination of data collection and collation of data for the various work packages; doctoral supervision. Analysis of C-N interactions under elevated CO2 and temperature. Preparation and coordination of publications. Close cooperation with the modeling groups. Support for outreach activities of the project.

Relevant Qualification
• Very good university degree (Master or Diploma) and a PhD in science or agricultural science discipline
• Experience in the supervision of doctoral students
• Experience in publication of scientific results
• Management of small work groups and support of administrative activities
• Experience in public relations.

Contact person: Prof. Christoph Müller PhD, christoph.mueller@bot2.bio.uni-giessen.de


For all areas, we expect a high level of teamwork, willingness to work in an interdisciplinary environment, excellent communication skills, in particular among the individual work areas, presentation skills, experience in the publication of scientific results. Very good knowledge of English (written and spoken) is required.
The above institutions are aiming to promote women in science, so we ask qualified female scientists to apply. Based on the support programs for women the institutions are committed to increase their proportion of women. The institutions are family-friendly where female applicants with children are welcome.

Please send your application please reference number 508/00180/08 and the desired subject area with the usual documents until 22.11.2013 to Prof. Christoph Müller, PhD, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Institute for Plant Ecology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Gießen. Applications of handicapped people – provided they have same qualifications – are preferred. Pease submit copies only, because documents will not be returned.



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Von:

Gerald Moser
gerald.moser@bio.uni-giessen.de
Plant Ecology, University of Giessen
Giessen, Germany

Ansprechpartner: Christoph Müller, christoph.mueller@bot2.bio.uni-giessen.de