WUR is looking for a postdoc researcher in carbon dynamics

Wageningen University has a vacancy for a postdoc researcher. The succesfull candidate will develop new ideas and approaches to investigate determinants of soil carbon dynamics. He or she will also spread the obtained knowledge to stakeholders and students.

Interested? Here is more information. You can apply via the website of WUR.

We are looking for

We now seek to strengthen our team with additional expertise on soil organic carbon  dynamics.  The successful candidate will  focus on the role of soil biota in organic carbon transformations (pools) in association with soil structure and aggregate fractions. The person will contribute to the evaluation and development of methods and indicators for soil organic carbon stabilization and assessment of soil functions in agricultural soils.   
 
The portfolio for this position will be split into four key areas;

• Education – the post-doc will contribute 20% of his/her time to teaching with a focus on soil carbon dynamics.
• Externally funded research – the post-doc will join existing research projects for 35% of his/her time, focussed on the role of soil organic carbon.
• Development of new project proposals - The post-doc will be encouraged to develop new proposals with the support of the Soil Biology group, this will utilise 35% of his/her time.
• Contribute to the Soil Biology Group discussions and activities (10%).

Existing research projects include topics such as; the application of organic waste amendments for soil carbon stabilization and trade-off/ synergies with nutrient provision and  climate resilience (EU projects), evaluating methods for the assessment of carbon dynamics in soil quality/health assessment (trans-atlantic project).

The successful candidate will:

• develop new ideas and approaches to investigate determinants of soil carbon dynamics (e.g. nutrient stochiometry, soil minerology and quality of organic soil amendments, as well as the relations between soil carbon dynamics and soil functioning to inform sustainable agricultural practices.- attract external funding to support the continuity of research activities;
• publish in high-ranking scientific journals and through technical and popular communication channels;
• demonstrate a passion for teaching in BSc / MSc courses offered by the Soil Biology group;
• (co)supervise  PhD candidates, MSc and BSc students;
• interact / share knowledge with target stakeholders such as farmers, policy makers and industry (e.g., waste recycling) and contribute to outreach activities of the Soil Biology group.

We ask:

Applicants for this post-doctoral position should hold a PhD in soil microbiology/ biogeochemistry, soil science, soil ecology and/or agronomy, with a strong soil-related background, experience with soil-related laboratory techniques and statistical methods, and publishing peer-reviewed articles. Applicants should have an interest to collaborate at a multi-disciplinary level, within the team as well as internationally. Excellent communication and writing skills in English are considered important assets. For further details on the essential/desired requirements of candidates, please see the table in Appendix 1. Applicants are kindly asked to refer to these requirements in their application.

We offer:

We offer a temporary contract for 2 years, with potential to enter tenure track after 2 years. Salary before tax, depending on expertise and experience, amounts to € 3.303 till € 4.033 per month. In addition we offer an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end- of-year bonus (8.3%), the ABP Pension scheme and training and career development. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may also qualify for a temporary special tax relief, in which 30% of their salary is exempt from tax.

More information:

About Tenure Track within Wageningen UR.

For more information about this position please contact Prof.dr. Rachel Creamer

Applications for this position should be submitted before November 14th 2018.