PhD Position in Soil Science / Geosciences
Research on “Dissolved organic matter driven changes in minerals and
organic-mineral interactions during paddy soil development” The Soil Sciences at the Martin Luther University Halle offer a
doctoral researcher position by 15 January 2012 for three years.
Salary is TV-L E13 (65%), according to the German TV-L system (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder). Employment will
be with Martin Luther University Halle, Germany, however, the
promotion is going to be a joint effort of the Martin Luther
University Halle and University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Background
Paddy soils make up the largest anthropogenic wetlands on earth.
Central topic of the DFG Research Unit 995 “Biogeochemistry of Paddy
Soil Evolution” is better understanding of the biogeochemistry of
major processes involved in the formation of paddy soils. During a
joint 3-week sampling campaign in February/March 2012, a variety of
major soil types typically used for establishing rice cultivation in
Asia, including Acrisols, Andosols and Vertisols, will be sampled in
Indonesia (Java). Objectives and work schedule
Previous studies indicated that the development and biogeochemistry of
paddy soils relates to the parent material, thus the original soils
paddies derive from. The research focuses on redox-mediated changes in
mineral composition and mineral-associated organic matter during paddy
transformation of different soils. We plan to subject soil samples to
a series of redox cycles, in order to mimic paddy soil formation and
development. Soils with strongly different properties and mineral
assemblage as well as at different states of paddy transformation;
ranging from unchanged soils to fully developed paddy soils, will be
included. We hypothesize that dissolved organic matter is one key
driver in redox-mediated transformations, serving as an electron
donator as well as interacting with dissolved metals and minerals. The
extent of effects shall depend on the parent soil’s original mineral
assemblage and organic matter and their mutual interactions. The
experimental paddy soil transformation will tracked by analyses of
soil solutions, of the (re-)distribution of carbon (by addition of
13C-labelled rice straw), of indicative biomolecules (sugars, amino
sugars, fatty acids, lignin) and of minerals (including the redox state of Fe). For analyses of organic matter as well as of mineral
characteristics we plan to utilize EXAFS and XPS, for Fe-bearing minerals also Mößbauer spectroscopy. This approach of experimental
pedology seems appropriate to give insight into the major factors during paddy soil formation and development. Requested qualifications
M. Sc. or equivalent degree in forest science, agricultural sciences,
geosciences, geoecology, environmental sciences or related
disciplines, preferably with a strong background in soil science or
geoscience, as well as experiences in field and laboratory studies.
The field work requires a stable physical condition, intercultural
awareness and a certain degree of flexibility to adapt to different working environments. For further details and questions contact either Prof. Dr. Reinhold
Jahn (reinhold.jahn@landw.uni-halle.de) or Dr. Klaus Kaiser
(klaus.kaiser@landw.uni-halle.de). Complete applications, including a summary of M.Sc. thesis, shall be
submitted to: Prof. Dr. Reinhold Jahn
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Soil Sciences
von-Seckendorff-Platz 3
06120 Halle (Saale)
Germany
Phone: +49-345-55-22530
E-mail: reinhold.jahn@landw.uni-halle.de Applications will be considered until 15 November 2011 or until the
position is filled.
Research on “Dissolved organic matter driven changes in minerals and
organic-mineral interactions during paddy soil development” The Soil Sciences at the Martin Luther University Halle offer a
doctoral researcher position by 15 January 2012 for three years.
Salary is TV-L E13 (65%), according to the German TV-L system (Tarifvertrag für den Öffentlichen Dienst der Länder). Employment will
be with Martin Luther University Halle, Germany, however, the
promotion is going to be a joint effort of the Martin Luther
University Halle and University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Background
Paddy soils make up the largest anthropogenic wetlands on earth.
Central topic of the DFG Research Unit 995 “Biogeochemistry of Paddy
Soil Evolution” is better understanding of the biogeochemistry of
major processes involved in the formation of paddy soils. During a
joint 3-week sampling campaign in February/March 2012, a variety of
major soil types typically used for establishing rice cultivation in
Asia, including Acrisols, Andosols and Vertisols, will be sampled in
Indonesia (Java). Objectives and work schedule
Previous studies indicated that the development and biogeochemistry of
paddy soils relates to the parent material, thus the original soils
paddies derive from. The research focuses on redox-mediated changes in
mineral composition and mineral-associated organic matter during paddy
transformation of different soils. We plan to subject soil samples to
a series of redox cycles, in order to mimic paddy soil formation and
development. Soils with strongly different properties and mineral
assemblage as well as at different states of paddy transformation;
ranging from unchanged soils to fully developed paddy soils, will be
included. We hypothesize that dissolved organic matter is one key
driver in redox-mediated transformations, serving as an electron
donator as well as interacting with dissolved metals and minerals. The
extent of effects shall depend on the parent soil’s original mineral
assemblage and organic matter and their mutual interactions. The
experimental paddy soil transformation will tracked by analyses of
soil solutions, of the (re-)distribution of carbon (by addition of
13C-labelled rice straw), of indicative biomolecules (sugars, amino
sugars, fatty acids, lignin) and of minerals (including the redox state of Fe). For analyses of organic matter as well as of mineral
characteristics we plan to utilize EXAFS and XPS, for Fe-bearing minerals also Mößbauer spectroscopy. This approach of experimental
pedology seems appropriate to give insight into the major factors during paddy soil formation and development. Requested qualifications
M. Sc. or equivalent degree in forest science, agricultural sciences,
geosciences, geoecology, environmental sciences or related
disciplines, preferably with a strong background in soil science or
geoscience, as well as experiences in field and laboratory studies.
The field work requires a stable physical condition, intercultural
awareness and a certain degree of flexibility to adapt to different working environments. For further details and questions contact either Prof. Dr. Reinhold
Jahn (reinhold.jahn@landw.uni-halle.de) or Dr. Klaus Kaiser
(klaus.kaiser@landw.uni-halle.de). Complete applications, including a summary of M.Sc. thesis, shall be
submitted to: Prof. Dr. Reinhold Jahn
Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
Soil Sciences
von-Seckendorff-Platz 3
06120 Halle (Saale)
Germany
Phone: +49-345-55-22530
E-mail: reinhold.jahn@landw.uni-halle.de Applications will be considered until 15 November 2011 or until the
position is filled.
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