E-2440 PhD position: investigating microbial traits/necromass cycling and carbon sequestration

E-2440 PhD position: investigating microbial traits/necromass cycling and

carbon sequestration

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

How will you contribute?

The primary research question associated with this PhD position is: Can microbial traits and the soil microbial necromass continuum be used to predict soil carbon sequestration in cropland soil?

The PhD researcher carries out doctoral research in the framework of a specific project (MATRICES).

The project will rely on traits archived in reference genomes (WP1) and generated from functional assays of microbial necromass cycling (WP2) and site-specific metagenome-assembled-genomes (MAGs) (WP3), combined into predictive models (WP4).

The outcomes of the project will be threefold: 1) novel insights into microbial traits and soil C sequestration; 2) an early career researcher trained in cutting edge ‘omics, functional and modelling techniques for linking microbial traits to ecosystem-scale process rates; 3) a new network of DNA-SIP researchers with a link to Luxembourg.

You will be trained in ‘omics, modelling, stable isotopes, process-based soil assays, and science communication (writing, presenting and outreach). You will have the opportunity to directly collaborate with the Luxembourg Ministry for Agriculture, and project partners in France (Dr Aurélie Cebron, CNRS) and the USA (Dr Roland Wilhelm, Purdue University).

The outcome of the thesis is valorised through different streams, such as publications and patents.

You work will be supervised by a LIST supervisor (Dr Kate Buckeridge) and co-supervisors (Dr Malte Herold, Dr Magda Calusinska, Dr Xavier Goux) and the PhD award will be granted by a partner University (University of Luxembourg). The PhD researcher will be incorporated into the RDI group Agro- Environmental Systems at LIST and will hierarchically report to the group leader (Dr Jürgen Junk).

Your main tasks will be:

RESEARCH WORK

Follow and advance a research plan in agreement with your supervisor(s)

Know the state of the art on the research topic of the thesis to be undertaken

Manage the daily research work allowing to deepen the topic you are working on

Take care of IP issues related to their research work

Contribute to the preparation of progress reports on research for funding bodies as required

Organise and participate in progress meetings with the supervisor(s)

Contribute to the overall activities of the RDI group and department as required

Actively collaborate with other researchers (LIST or external)

Actively participate in group meetings, meetings with academic and non- academic collaborators

DISSEMINATION, VALORISATION AND TRANSFER

Contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to peer reviewed journals and conference proceedings

Contribute to the creation of intellectual property rights (patents, licences, etc.)

Prepare posters for conferences

Present your work at local, national and international meetings with guidance and prior internal review

Defend your thesis in a reasonable time frame (3 / 4 years)

TRAINING

Participate in conferences and workshops in your research field

Train yourself in specific techniques

Follow courses at partner University (University of Luxembourg), where necessary

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply

now!

Education

Master in Microbiology, biology, ecology, chemistry, soils science, genomics, etc)

Experience and skills

Ideally you should have skills in bioinformatics, metagenomics, soil ecology, stable isotope ecology and biogeochemistry.

It will be sufficient if you have skills in bioinformatics and metagenomics, basic training in chemistry or molecular biology (e.g., a science degree) and an interest to gain skills in soil ecology and stable isotope ecology.

You should have interest about tackling global challenges and interest in the practical applications of fundamental science.

Language skills

Good level both written and spoken English

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

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

· 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: Dr. Kate BUCKERIDGE [email protected]

· Co-supervision: Dr Malte Herold, Dr Magda Calusinska, Dr Xavier Goux

· Work location: Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Belvaux, Luxembourg

· PhD enrolment: University of Luxembourg, Belval, Luxembourg

Applications for this position should be submitted by 24/02/2024.

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

Alexandre BAUDET

Employment type

Full-Time

UO

ERIN

Profile type

Phd Student