PhD Student in Soil Ecotoxicology

The Junior Research Group Dynamic Ecological Chemistry at the University of Bremen is seeking a PhD student (f/m/d) in soil ecotoxicology to join the ROSCAR project

The project

Sustainable agriculture is in a field of tension between productivity and conservation of soil health. Nanopesticides have been developed to guarantee both. However, we recently showed for the first time that copper-based nanoparticles can be harmful to soil organisms at very low, field-realistic concentrations. Surprisingly, this was only the case for clay-rich soils, which are highly relevant for agriculture. Copper and clay in soils have the ability to form reactive oxygen species (ROS). The formation of these radicals is based on electron transfers in which transition metals (especially nano-sized), clay minerals and organic matter serve as a source and/or transporter of excess electrons. All of these substance groups are naturally occurring in the soil, but also added by agricultural activities, especially the use of copper-based fungicides.

In this project, we will combine multiple representative substance groups simulating an agricultural soil system and being relevant for radical formation. The radical-forming potential of both natural and anthropogenic substances will be identified, i.e. different types of clay and iron minerals, organic matter and anthropogenic copper. Radical formation will be investigated chemically, measuring ROS formation in artificial soils and soil solutions, but also biochemically and ecologically by the antioxidative and fitness response of soil organisms. Identifying the soil factors for radical formation will have implications for soil protection, risk assessment of nanopesticides and agricultural management and will enable direct recommendations for preserving soil sustainability

Your tasks include

  • Quantification of ROS formation by (nano-)copper substances in artificial soils and soil media under varying properties  
  • Performance of ecotoxicological tests in artificial soils with two test organisms (e.g. enchytraeids, higher plants, soil microbial community), including both life history tests and molecular endpoints of the antioxidative system (e.g. SOD, CAT, GPx); evaluation with regard to the ROS formation potential by copper and the respective soil properties
  • Establishing and maintaining the required test organism cultures
  • Pre-selection of up to 10 field soils from the region Bremen-Lower Saxony on the basis of soil databases; sampling and detailed analysis of soils (grain size distribution, clay and iron fraction, organic content), background contamination (PAH/copper) as well as vertical distribution of redox potential, O2 and pH in the soil core using a high-resolution Unisense system
  • Selection of two soils with a high contrast regarding their expected ROS formation potential based on soil properties, e.g. by multivariate statistical methods; carrying out ecotoxicological  laboratory tests with three test organisms (collembolans and the two previously selected)
  • Supporting the working group in daily laboratory work and contributing to scientific discussions
  • Writing scientific manuscripts for publication in internationally recognised journals
  • Presentation of results and scientific exchange at national or international conferences

Requirements

  • Relevant, scientific above-average degree (Master of Science/Uni-Diploma) in ecotoxicology, environmental or biochemistry, soil science, environmental sciences or a related field
  • Experience in ecotoxicological test methods, working with molecular markers and/or soil science methods including field sampling is of great advantage
  • Experience in the cultivation and handling of soil invertebrates and/or higher plants is of advantage
  • Experience in chemical analytics, especially GC and AAS, is helpful
  • Basic skills in univariate and multivariate statistics in the context of ecology
  • An ambitious person with an interest in joining a young interdisciplinary research team focussing on dynamic chemical-ecological coupled processes
  • Students who are still writing their Master thesis and do not yet have a certificate are also invited to apply. The MSc degree certificate must be issued prior to employment.

Their offer

  • A small co-operative and multi-disciplinary research team with a good international network
  • Opportunities for further scientific and methodological training
  • Supervision and mentoring to finalise the PhD
  • Annual special payment (‘Christmas bonus’), regular automatic collectively agreed salary increases and additional public service pension scheme (VBL)
  • Flexible working hours to reconcile family and career (taking into account the general conditions)
  • Active company health management, including discounts at local sports clubs, gyms and swimming pools (EGYM WELLPASS)
  • The option of using a job ticket
  • 30 days holiday per calendar year

Application

Your application should include: academic CV (including publication list if applicable), copies of BSc and MSc university transcripts and work references if applicable, the contact addresses for 2 references, and a letter of motivation (maximum 2 pages) explaining what exactly motivated you to apply for this position, why you are particularly interested in the proposed topic, and what skills and experience qualify you for the position.

Application deadline

Please send your documents by post by 14.03.2025, quoting the reference number A117-25, by e-mail in a summarised PDF document to Dr Jonas Fischer (j.fischeruni-bremen.de)

or by post to:

Universität Bremen
Fachbereich 2
Leobener Str. 5
28359 Bremen
Germany

For further information, read more about the opportunity https://www.uni-bremen.de/en/university/the-university-as-an-employer/job-vacancies-1/job/3762?cHash=9bdd07add8447ab93d18e24b78b95fc6 and if you have any questions, please contact Dr Fischer via the email address mentioned above.