PhD Position in the area of Coastal Carbon Fluxes
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD researcher to join the department Fluxes Across Interfaces for a joint PhD project together with the department Inorganic Environmental Chemistry.
The delivery of dissolved carbon and alkalinity by rivers is an important driver of the coastal carbon cycle, but the sources of these materials (i.e., weathering vs biological) are often unclear. This student will work with a diverse suite of tools at a newly constructed state of the art research platform on the Elbe river next to the Hereon campus to investigate the drivers and effects of riverine carbon and alkalinity fluxes. Continuous, in-situ measurements of dissolved species including greenhouse gases will be paired with discrete sampling for trace and major elemental analysis as well as isotopic measurements of Ra, CO2, CH4 and other potential tracers of these processes The student will use these measurements to quantify and study bulk carbon and alkalinity fluxes and interpret isotopic and trace element evidence as potential tools for source identification.
We invite applications for a PhD position in the area of Coastal Carbon Fluxes at the Institute of Carbon Cycles with preferred starting date in summer 2022. The position is limited to three years.
Your tasks:
- assist in the operation and maintenance and further development of the research platform on the Elbe river
- utilization of the new station to collect discrete samples and conduct or assist with trace element, greenhouse gas, and isotopic analysis
- synthesize results, prepare manuscripts and conference presentations
- organization and performance of field trips and sampling campaigns
Essential qualifications:
- Master or Diploma degree in an appropriate field (chemistry, biology, environmental science, etc)
- extensive, hands-on on experience working with in-situ instruments and/or lab-based chemical analysis (e.g. plasma based mass spectrometry)
- proficiency in at least one programming language (R, Matlab, Python, etc.), and appropriate math, statistics, and GIS-based spatial analysis
- excellent communication skills in English (spoken, written)
Desirable qualifications:
- proven physical ability to join ship-based campaigns
- German communication skills
- driving license