agricultural soils (1.0 FTE)
Job description
The ClipsMicro project Dutch agriculture faces the major challenge of contributing to reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. This objective can be contributed to by sequestrating more CO2 in soils and crops while at the same time reducing the emission of other greenhouse gases. In the NWA call ‘Climate-friendly agricultural soils' two projects focus on how microbes in the soil, separately or in collaboration with plants, can contribute to increased carbon storage and decreased emissions of greenhouse gases, especially nitrous oxide. Within the ClipsMIcro project, researchers from Utrecht University (UU) , the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) , the Louis Bolk Institute and Aeres University of Applied Sciences (Dronten) will be working with companies from the agricultural, horticultural, the plant breeding, the composting and soil analysis sectors. This combination of scientific and agro-business partners will develop novel strategies that utilize refined composts and cover crops to steer and nurture microorganisms in soil and organic inputs to realize a year-round contribution of the soil microbiome to carbon sequestration and mitigation of GHG emissions in arable sandy soils.Within the ClipsMicro project we are hiring two PhD students that collaborate closely. One student is appointed at NIOO-KNAW, one at UU. This opening describes the PhD position at Utrecht University. For the Job position at Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) with a focus on Biological Nitrification Inhibition in cover crops as an emission reduction measure, please see the opening at NIOO-KNAW. PhD position at Utrecht University, department of Ecology and Biodiversity Aim of your research is to establish a mechanistic understanding of the physical and microbiological properties of organic soil amendments that lead to increased soil carbon stocks and associated microbial necromass upon field application. To accomplish this you will:
Experiments will be carried in close cooperation with a the fellow PhD candidate in this project who is based at the NIOO-KNAW in Wageningen as well as other collaborating partners and relevant stakeholders.
Qualifications For this PhD position, we are looking for an enthusiastic motivated candidate with:
Offer
In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development, leave arrangements and sports. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow.
About the organization A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability. Additional information If you have any questions about this position, please contact Dr. Mariet Hefting (Associate Professor) via [email protected] Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome staff with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. If you have the expertise and experience to excel in this role, please respond via the "Apply" button!
The application deadline is 13/03/2023