PhD Researcher (f/m/x)

UFZ; Leipzig; Hybrid; EUR 27,000 - 40,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

HIGRADE graduate programme

International research collaborations

Family office / work-life balance

Job summary

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig/Landau invites applications for a PhD student position within the project Energy Sustains Dissipative Structures in Soil Systems. The successful candidate will split time between UFZ Leipzig and RPTU Landau, collaborating with a second PhD student at Trier University.

Starting February 2027 for three years, the work focuses on soil microbiome, energy and carbon flux analyses using calorimetry and isotope tracers, in a

Qualifications

• Master degree in soil science, physical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, environmental sciences or equivalent field.
• Strong interest in complex and interdisciplinary relationships in soil systems.
• Very good English, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• Investigate how soil microbiome and carbon/energy fluxes respond to substrate inputs.
• Apply and develop analytical techniques like IMC, TG-DSC-QMS, bomb calorimetry and respirometry.
• Collaborate with project partners in microbial analysis and ecosystem modelling.

Skills

Interdisciplinary mindset

English proficiency

Education

Master degree in soil science or related field

Job description

Topic: How Energy Shapes Soil Microbial Communities and Carbon Cycling

Place of work

Leipzig , Landau

Working time

65% (25,35 h/Woche)

Contract limitations

limited contract/ 3 years

Salary

Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.

Contact

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Thomas Maskow
thomas.maskow[at]ufz.de

Diversity and Inclusion

The UFZ values diversity and is actively committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all employees, regardless of their origin, religion, beliefs, disability, age or sexual identity.
We welcome people who represent diverse backgrounds, identities and perspectives. We therefore particularly encourage people who are affected by structural discrimination to apply to us.

The UFZ

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is a world-leading institution in environmental research and a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany’s largest scientific organisation. With approximately 1,200 employees across Leipzig, Halle, and Magdeburg, we have been conducting research since 1991 using a transdisciplinary approach to address the most pressing challenges of our time: biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental pollution. Our goal is to translate excellent research into practical solutions for policymakers, business, and society, and to serve as a reliable partner in supporting transformation processes toward a sustainable and just future for current and future generations. We foster a culture of collaboration, openness, and diversity within a work environment that actively promotes creativity and personal development.

The job

In the framework of the project "Energy Sustains Dissipative Structures in Soil Systems" ("Energy Structures"), funded by the DFG, the RPTU Landau and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) offer a PhD student position, with the earliest possible starting date in February2027 and a project duration of three years. The successful candidate will spend half of project duration at the RPTU Campus Landau and the other half at the UFZ Leipzig, collaborating closely with a second PhD student based at Trier University. As the project is part of the DFG Priority Program SPP 2322 "SoilSystems" ( https://soilsystems.net/ ), close cooperation with other projects of this SPP will be essential.

Your tasks

You will explore how the soil microbiome and the carbon and energy fluxes respond to varying substrate (energy source) inputs. The aim is to understand how energy availability influences microbial structure and activity, carbon und energy transformation processes, and the formation of self-organizing patterns in soil systems. These responses will be examined in relation to the thermodynamic properties of added substrates, the composition and amount of the microbial community, and the characteristics of soil organic matter.
To this end, you will apply and further develop several physicochemical analytical techniques– such as isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC), thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry – quadrupole mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-QMS), bomb calorimetry, and respirometry – available at UFZ Leipzig and RPTU Landau. These measurements will be complemented by chemical analyses of carbon fluxes using ¹³C tracers, PLFA, biomarkers, and elemental analysis.
Using the combined dataset, you will apply thermodynamic modeling approaches – both equilibrium and non-equilibrium– to characterize how energy inputs shape microbial activity, carbon cycling, and the emergence of structured dynamics in soil systems. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with project partners contributing additional expertise in microbial community analysis and ecosystem modeling.

We offer

• Excellent supervision and optimal professional and interdisciplinary qualification through our HIGRADE graduate programme
• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application
• The opportunity to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a wide range of perspectives
• First-class integration into national and international research networks to work together on global challenges
• Excellent research infrastructure and research data management to optimally support your work
• A wide range of options for balancing care responsibilities and work through our family office
• Competent support and advice for international colleagues arriving at the UFZ from the ‘International Office’
• Special annual payment, capital-forming benefits and subsidised Deutschland-Job-Ticket
• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Your profile

• Master degree in soil science, physical chemistry, chemistry, biochemistry, biology, environmental sciences or equivalent field
• Strong interest in complex and interdisciplinary relationships in soil systems
• Openness to incorporating modeling and ecological aspects into your research
• Prior experience in calorimetry, thermodynamics, soil science, environmental microbiology, or isotope tracer experiments is an advantage but not required
• Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary and international team
• Very good skills in English, both written and spoken

Please note that external consultants will also be involved in the selection process for this position alongside UFZ employees.