The soil science and biochemistry group, department of geography, university of Zürich is inviting applications for a

PhD position in "soil organic matter vulnerability to climate and land use change"

The salary is guaranteed according to SNF guidelines.

Topic:

With the rapid pace of both land use and climate change, potential shifts in soil organic matter (SOM) quality and quantity are a major concern. Swiss forest and grassland soils represent the nation's largest carbon reservoir and hold enormous economic value. The amplitude and the processes leading to this vulnerability remain poorly understood.

The successful applicant will be working under the supervision of Samuel Abiven (Soil science and biogeochemistry, department of geography http://www.geo.uzh.ch/en/units/physical-geography-soilbio) and Pascal A. Niklaus (Soil ecology and global change, institute of evolutionary biology and environmental studies http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/research/ecology/soil.html), University of Zurich.

Within this project we will apply 13C,14C isotopic techniques to identify the vulnerable fractions of the soil organic matter. We will take advantage of a large database of Swiss soils, archived for the past 20 years, and of unique facilities to measure isotopes. We will simulate climatic events like drought in isotope labelling chambers to study their impacts on the carbon cycle in the plant-soil system.

In collaboration with a team, the PhD student will setup lab experiments, collect and analyse soil, gas and water samples, and interpret results. Responsibilities include field and lab work, supervision of undergraduate students, presentations of results at conferences and publications in international refereed journals. Additionally, we can offer a rewarding PhD-program in a stimulating scientific environment.

This project is part of the Swiss national research priority program "Sustainable use of soil as a resource" (http://www.nfp68.ch) and part of the cluster "Soil Organic Matter".

Requirements:

MSc degree in earth sciences, soil science, physical geography, geoecology, environmental sciences, or related disciplines with a focus on soil biogeochemistry.

Laboratory and field research experience in geochemistry or biogeochemistry is highly desirable. Fluent knowledge of English, knowledge of German is of advantage.

Collaborators:

Under the swiss national research priority program, we are closely working with two other groups on experimental setup, sampling, and sample/data/instrument sharing, including:
Prof. Timothy Eglinton, ETH ("Molecular and radiocarbon sentinels of soil organic matter vulnerability);
Dr. Frank Hagedorn, WSL ("SOM control - Controls on soil organic matter in Swiss forest soils: The impact of forest productivity, land-use history, climate and physico-chemical stabilization").

Two other Ph.D. positions are available under those topics before June 2013. Feel free to consult us if you are interested.

How to apply:

Please send your application (including CV, statement of research interests and addresses of potential referees)to Samuel Abiven (Samuel.abiven@geo.uzh.ch) before 1^st April 2013.