University of Zurich
We invite applications for a
PhD project in our group working on "Terrestrial carbon
cycle
(and global change)"
We seek to understand the influence of anthropogenic
environmental change, such as increasing number of wildfires, temperature and
atmospheric nitrogen deposition, on the terrestrial carbon cycle including turnover of
soil organic matter.
"How does increased atmospheric nitrogen deposition affect the
budget of fire-derived biomass in a forest soil?"
is the title of the project.
Understanding soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics is
critical to understand agricultural, and forestry environments, and their role in the
global carbon cycle. Along with global change, wildfires will become more frequent
worldwide. However, the long-term fate of the combustion residues in the
terrestrial environment and its influence on the carbon budget remain poorly
understood. Additionally, during the last few decades human activity increased
atmospheric nitrogen deposition into soils. At present, it is not clear whether
increased nitrogen deposition will accelerate or decelerate SOM turnover. Within
this project we will apply 13C-, 15N-labelled fresh and charred forest litter to a forest
field experiment, and will quantify resulting C- and N-fluxes released as gas (13CO2)
or water (DO13C, DO15N), as affected by increased N deposition. In collaboration
with a team the PhD student will setup the field experiment, collect and analyze
soil, gas and water samples, and interpret results. Responsibilities include field and
lab work, supervision of students, presentations of results at conferences and
publication in international refereed journals. Additionally, we can offer a rewarding
PhD-program in a stimulating scientific environment.
Requirements include a MSc- or Diplom-degree in soil biogeochemistry or a related
discipline, such as physical geography, geoecology, environmental sciences, food
chemistry, and preferably some work experience in field and analytical methods.
Good knowledge of English as working language is essential. A driving license is
also required. Start upon mutual agreement.
More information on our research
group can be found at www.geo.uzh.ch/phys. For further details contact Prof. Dr.
Michael W. I. Schmidt (michael.schmidt@geo.uzh.ch) and Dr. Samuel Abiven
(samuel.abiven@geo.uzh.ch).
Send a letter of application, CV, statement of
research interests and addresses of potential referees to Prof. Dr. Michael W. I.
Schmidt, University of Zurich, Dept. of Geography, Winterthurerstr. 190, 8057
Zürich, Switzerland as paper copy or email a single pdf file.
