PhD Student Position in Denmark

PhD scholarship in climate change mitigation by plant mediated transfer and storage of carbon in aquifers The Biosystems Division at Risoe DTU seeks to appoint a PhD student to work within the Ecosystems Programme (ECO). Research in ECO focuses on the interactions between ecosystems, energy production and climate change.

The project
The PhD project is related to mitigation of climate change through increased uptake and storage of carbon in vegetation and soils. Plants take up CO2 from the atmosphere and transfer parts of it into the soil where it is released by respiration from roots and microbes. A fraction of the CO2 released in the soil is dissolved in the soil water and transferred to the aquifer. The amount of CO2 dissolved depends on several factors, such as pH, soil and plant type, land use, 
land management etc. The objective of the PhD project is to study the carbon dynamics in the root zone and provide insight into the main factors controlling the dissolution and transfer of CO2 by the soil water and further into the aquifer. Your PhD-project will focus on: Process understanding of key factors controlling the CO2 release and dissolution in the soil water. This will involve medium scale laboratory experiments with soil mesocosms and use of stable isotope 
techniques Field scale test and validation involving analysis and measurements of  key CO2 pools, fluxes and dynamics in the rooting zone in a field experiment with different soil, plant and microbial characteristics Provision of data to process and ecosystem modelers for testing and 
validation of process understanding.

The PhD project is part of a new framework programme "Environmental technology for geological storage of carbon dioxide" and involves close collaboration with hydrologists, biologists, geochemists and modelers. The PhD student will work together with other PhD students, technicians and scientist in a well organised and highly motivated research atmosphere.

Your qualifications
We seek an energetic and skilled candidate with a Master's degree in biology, soil science, agronomy or similar (or graduate in the very near future - documentation for final thesis and date of examination must be enclosed in the application). The candidate must have a strong interest in carbon cycling, plant-soil-microbial interactions, CO2 flux measurements, field work and data analysis. Ability for easy going communication (English) and mutual commitment to effective team work are highly desired. The work requires a driving licence.

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please 
see the DTU PhD Guide.

Salary and appointment terms
The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 years. The successful candidate will be employed at Biosystems Division, Risoe DTU in Roskilde. Main supervisor is Prof. Iver Jakobsen and co-supervisors are Prof. Per Ambus and Senior Scientist Claus Beier.

Application
We must have your online application by 9 April 2010. Please open the link "apply online" and fill in the application form and attach your application, CV and other relevant documentation. Employment will be as soon as possible – tentatively 1 August 2010.

Further information
If you need further information concerning this position, please contact Iver Jakobsen +45 46774154 or Per Ambus +45 46774152. You can also read more about the Biosystems Division and Risoe DTU at risoe.dtu.dk.

Apply for this job online at dtu.dk/English/About_DTU/vacancies.aspx?guid=15316871-c469-4b5f-a7f2-a0bb83842ef5