Whoever wants to investigate the major challenges for society has to be immersed in the best
environment from the off: outstanding education, inspiring surroundings and a professional kit.
You can find all this at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ. We offer exciting
research topics, excellent supervision, solid structures, interdisciplinarity and an optimal, subjectspecific
and general qualification at the UFZ Graduate School HIGRADE – the best requirements
to kick start a successful career.
The department System-Ecotoxicology invites applications for a
PhD student
- code digit 31/2013 -
identifying ecological effective concentration levels of toxicants.
Available immediately, limited to 3 years.
Research topic and tasks:
Aquatic ecosystems offer indispensable goods and services for humans (e.g. drinking water,
biodiversity, recreation). However, aquatic ecosystems are exposed to a multitude of
anthropogenic contaminants, as pesticides, pharmaceuticals and heavy metals. The current
exposure of toxicants results in disruption of ecosystem services in many cases. Despite the
magnitude of the problem there is no consensus on the magnitude of safe toxicant
concentrations relevant in the wild.
The PhD project will aim on (i) understanding ecological effect mechanisms, (ii) improving the risk
assessment of contaminants and the landscape management for governmental and corporate
institutions. For this the thesis will reveal the ecological effect mechanisms of toxicants at very
low concentrations. The thesis includes (meta) analyses of existing data, performing field work
and modeling ecological effects. We are looking forward to strongly involve the PhD into the
detailed planning of this research according to her/his strength and interests.
Requirements:
- Master or diploma degree in biology, environmental sciences or related fields.
- Enjoying independent and innovative thinking and courage to break new ground.
We offer:
- Excellent research opportunities within our interdisciplinary department that is highly recognized for its research in landscape-level risk assessment of pesticides.
- Excellent research opportunities within the UFZ, a powerful international competence center for systemic, interdisciplinary environmental research within the Helmholtz Association.
- Links to related projects within the UFZ and international links to related projects in Australia, Africa, and several countries in Europe
Conditions:
The place of work is Leipzig, Germany. Salary will be according to the appropriate civil service
level 13 TVöD (50 %). The PhD students participate in the established Helmholtz Graduate
School HIGRADE.
For further information or questions, please contact:
PD Dr. Matthias Liess: matthias.liess@ufz.de, http://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=2122
Please send your complete application documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae,
certificates, description of scientific development and a list of publications) under the code digit
31/2013 to the personnel department by e-mail: application@ufz.de. Please also state your
earliest possible start date. Review of the applications starts immediately and will be continued
until the position is filled.
The UFZ is an equal opportunity employer. Women are explicitly encouraged to apply for
increasing their share in science and research. Physically handicapped persons will be favoured
if they are equally qualified.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ) is a research institution with
EMAS certification. In order to promote sustainability, we ask you to send your application via
e-mail.
