E-2438 – PHD CANDIDATE IN PLANT-ATMOSPHERE INTERACTIONS
Temporary contract 48 months Belvaux
Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us
The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and
Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment
and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and
tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their
decisions and businesses in their strategies.
Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https: // www. list.lu/
Discover our Environmental Research and Innovation department: ERIN Department
Within the ERIN department, the ‘Environmental Sensing and Modelling'
(ENVISION) unit is an interdisciplinary team of 50+ scientists, engineers,
post-docs and PhD candidates – structured in three complementary groups
focusing on agro-environmental systems research, remote sensing and natural
resources modelling, and critical zone research.
Embedded into the ENVISION unit, the ‘Catchment and eco-hydrology' (CAT)
research group has its efforts geared towards a holistic understanding of
intrinsically coupled hydrological and human systems. At the CAT group we rely
on our competences in hydrology, geochemistry, sedimentology and environmental
systems engineering for gaining a better understanding of eco-hydrological
processes controlling hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, vegetation and
sediment dynamics, pollutant removal, and ecosystem resilience.
How will you contribute?
The quality of weather forecasts, seasonal simulations, and climate
projections depends critically on the adequate representation of land-
atmosphere (L-A) feedbacks. These feedbacks are the result of a highly
complex network of processes and variables related to the exchange of
momentum, energy, and mass. Significant challenges persist in understanding
processes and feedbacks.
The Land-Atmosphere Feedback Initiative (LAFI) is an interdisciplinary
consortium of researchers in Germany and Luxembourg, from atmospheric,
agricultural, and soil sciences, bio-geo-physics, hydrology, and
neuroinformatics, proposing a novel combination of advanced research methods.
The overarching goal of LAFI is to understand and quantify L-A feedbacks via
unique synergistic observations and model simulations from the micro-gamma (»
2 m) to the meso-gamma (» 2 km) scales across diurnal to seasonal time
scales.
The overall theme of the advertised position will be: "Effect of land-
atmosphere coupling on vegetation behaviour". The project will combine
experimental work, sensor development and field monitoring to:
Characterise the relevant atmospheric conditions of individual leaves in a wheat and maize canopy
Identify feedbacks between leaf gas exchange and within-canopy microclimate
Formulate a mathematical model of leaf gas and energy exchange in the presence of canopy-air feedbacks
In collaboration with the Material Research and Technology department at LIST,
you will develop and test customised sensors to measure the microclimatic
conditions of individual leaves within a plant canopy. These sensors, along
with other innovative instruments and sensors, will then be deployed at an
experimental site of the University Hohenheim in Germany, where the candidate
will conduct several field campaigns of 1-2 weeks duration to measure stomatal
control on leaf gas exchange and resulting canopy-air feedbacks. Field
observations, combining a variety of cutting edge sensing technologies
employed by LAFI partners, will be complemented by the candidate's dedicated
experiments in the plant biophysics laboratory at LIST and evaluated using
open source data science methods. Mathematical modelling will be performed
using the programming language Python and specialised open source packages.
Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply
now!
Education
Master (or similar) in plant biology, environmental science/engineering,
geo-ecology, or a related discipline
Excellent skills in scientific writing and presenting (in English)
Experience and skills
High motivation to perform rigorous research and collaborate in an
international setting
Ability to synthesise knowledge and hypotheses from scientific
publications
Developed critical thinking and engagement in open-minded scientific
discussions
Quantitative data analysis skills
Experience with plant-related field work is an asset
Programming skills are an asset (e.g. Python, R)
Familiarity with version control software (e.g. git) and Open Science
approaches is an asset
Electrical engineering skills are an asset (e.g. source meter / data
logger control)
Language skills
Excellent skills in English: speaking, reading and writing scientific
texts
Your LIST benefits
An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in
Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research
projects
Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential
role in paving the way to a green society
Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000
square metres, including innovations in all that we do
An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in
all areas
Personalized learning programme to foster our staff's soft and technical
skills
Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50
nationalities represented in our workforce
Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil
their personal and professional ambitions
Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and
retain women in science
32 days' paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory
health insurance
Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers
Apply online
https: // www. list.lu/en/jobs/environment/
Your application must include:
A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your
experience
A scientific CV with contact details
List of publications (and patents, if applicable)
Contact details of 2 references
Application procedure and conditions
We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical
purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and
ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be
kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.
LIST is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and
retaining diverse personnel. We value all applicants and will consider all
competent candidates for employment without regard to national origin,
race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,
religion, age or disability
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is
filled
An assessment committee will review the applications and select candidates
based on guidelines that aim to ensure equal opportunities
The main criteria for selection will be the correspondence of the existing
skills and expertise of the applicant with the requirements mentioned
above
PhD additional conditions:
Supervisor at LIST: Prof. S. Schymanski
Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST),
Belvaux, Luxembourg
PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval in the Doctoral Programme
"Complex Systems Science" (https: // www. uni.lu/research-en/doctoral-
education/dsse/complex-systems-science) and benefit from a large range of
training activities and support beyond the research activities.
This is a fully paid PhD candidate position in the framework of a newly
funded international research unit: "The Land-Atmosphere Feedback
Initiative (LAFI)". The LAFI project subscribes to the principles of
research integrity within the framework of the FNR funding scheme (FNR
Research Integrity Guidelines). These rules rely on the European Code of
Conduct for Research Integrity, the Singapore Statement on Research
Integrity and the Montreal Statement on Research Integrity.
Candidates shall be available for starting their position asap.
Duration and location of secondment/s: Temporary stays for field work (6
trips, 1 week each) at Uni-Hohenheim are mandatory. Attendance of
international conferences and workshops is also envisaged.
Please note the universities costs are at the charge of the student.
Your master diploma has to be recognized in Luxembourg. Please refer to:
https: // www. uni.lu/en/admissions/diploma-recognition/
https: // guichet.public.lu/fr/citoyens/enseignement-formation/etudes-
superieures/reconnaissance-diplomes.html
REQUIREDLANGUAGES
To be considered for this position it is crucial that you have knowledge of
the following languages
Read C1 Advanced
Write C1 Advanced
Speak C1 Advanced
minimum required Education
Required work experience in years
0 or more years
Job Category
Details
Employment type
Contract type
Hours per week
40
Contract period
Months
Contract duration
48
Location
Country
City
Esch-Sur-Alzette
Recruiter in charge
Carolina DE LEON
Employment type
Full-Time
UO
ERIN
Profile type
Phd Student