Arbeite als Scientist Plasticity of Root Traits (f/m/x) bei Helmholtz Zentrum für Umweltforschung UFZ – Dein neuer Job in Halle (Saale) wartet

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung UFZ

Place of work

Halle (Saale)

Working time

Working time: 100%

Contract limitations

limited contract / limited for 36 months

Salary

Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Prof. Dr. Doris Vetterlein
Speaker SPP 2089 - Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation
Soil-Plant Interaction
Department Soil System Science
Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ
Theodor-Lieser-Str. 4
06120 Halle/Saale

Tel. 0341/ 6025 4460
e-mail doris.vetterlein[at]ufz.de

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

The job

Within the EU Project “Root2Resillience: Root phenotyping and genetic improvement for rotational crops resilient to environmental change” we are seeking for a motivated scientist (m/f) to support the work in work package 5 “In-depth traits assessment and understanding of plasticity”. The overarching goal of Root2Res is to deliver a package of solutions to enhance the resilience of rotational cropping system by considering relevant root traits with respect to the impact of climate change. Innovations will include phenotyping, genetic and modelling tools that will help breeders evaluate, in field and controlled conditions, novel and existing genotypes of a range of crops (Cereals, Potatoes, Legumes) as root ideotypes for different soil and climatic environments across Europe.

The environments targeted include those predicted to suffer from the largest impact of climate change on yield in Europe. Resilience to stress will focus on greater variation in water availability and interactions with other stresses. Traits to be assessed will focus on exploration, exploitation and rhizosphere microbiome related traits integrated in an extended phenotype.

Anticipated start of the position is 1st of September 2024

Your tasks

Designing, conducting and interpreting controlled condition experiments which enable the determination of different root traits and their plasticity, in particular :

Determination of root traits with non-invasive (X-ray CT) and invasive methods
Integration of root traits into a plasticity index
statistical analysis and data integration
Initiating and writing of integrated publications
Conceptual work, synthesis

We offer

The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a variety of perspectives
Firstclass integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing work and care responsibilities through our family office
Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the 'International Office'
Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Germany Job Ticket
A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

Experience in conducting controlled condition experiments focussing on root investigations
Experience with non-invasive imaging approaches (X-ray CT, MRI, Neutron radiography) and respective image analysis workflow
Experienced with destructive methods of root analysis (WinRhizo or equivalent programs)
Strong background in statistics
Skilled in scientific writing
Background in rhizosphere or root research, soil science, plant nutrition, microbiology.
Very good skills in communication/ English language skills
Ability to work independently and motivated to work in an interdisciplinary
team within an international project
Driving license

Application deadline: 28.07.2024

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity