1 Phd Research position in Hydrological and Biogeochemical processes at aquatic interfaces in France | Observatoire des Sciences de l'Univers de Rennes (OSUR)

An Early Stage Researcher (ESR) position is available for 36 months to be trained and perform research in hydrological and biogeochemical processes at aquatic interfaces within the Marie-Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) INTERFACES at the Environmental Observatory of Rennes (CNRS - OSUR) in Rennes, France. The successful candidate will tackle scientific and technical challenges spanning from laboratory biogeochemistry analyses to field sampling and tracer applications and numerical modelling. The ultimate goal of the project is to improve the interdisciplinary understanding of processes at aquatic-terrestrial interfaces which are commonly considered as hot spots of turnover and as relevant for the ecological state of both adjacent compartments.

Candidates should be available to start their project by May 2014

Description

This PhD position is part of the Marie Curie ITN INTERFACES: Ecohydrological interfaces as critical hotspots for transformations of ecosystem exchange fluxes and biogeochemical cycling

Title of PhD project: Quantifying the cumulative effects of nitrogen buffering hotspots at the catchment scale

The successful candidate will combine field, laboratory and numerical methods to assess the fate of nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbon according to catchments’ topographical and geological structures. Environmental proxies for microbial processes (natural isotopes abundance of nitrogen and oxygen) or anoxic conditions (lanthanides (REE) and natural isotopic abundance of dissolved organic carbon), together with numerical flow and transport model will be used to evaluate the water and dissolved elements residence time distribution (RTD) over a set of contrasted catchments. The evaluation of RTD will be performed with a specific attention to the spatial variability of hillslopes morphology and processes, land use and subsurface structures and organisation. A high frequency time-series of hydroclimatic and chemical data from monitored observatory will be used to evaluate the residence time distribution of different compartments in the catchments

The candidate will be supervised by the Environmental Observatory of Rennes (CNRS - OSUR) in Rennes, France, where they will be enrolled in a Doctoral training programme. The OSUR will be their main place of work. The ESR will also receive co-supervision from scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig, Germany (UFZ) and training by other consortium partners from academia and industries. They will be seconded for a period of 3 months to the University of Birmingham (UK) and for 3 months to the University of Barcelona, Spain

Eligibility criteria:

• To meet the criteria of mobility in EU Marie Curie programmes, not have lived or worked in France for more than 12 of the 36 months immediately prior to the date of appointment
• a Masters or very good first degree in Environmental Sciences, Hydrology, Geosciences, Ecohydrology, Civil Engineering or other closely related discipline
• less than 4 years full-time research experience since the award date of the degree that would entitle them to start on a PhD

Candidates interested in the above position can send their application directly to Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε. (cc Αυτή η διεύθυνση Email προστατεύεται από τους αυτοματισμούς αποστολέων ανεπιθύμητων μηνυμάτων. Χρειάζεται να ενεργοποιήσετε τη JavaScript για να μπορέσετε να τη δείτε.). Questions can also be sent to this address.

The application should include:

• a CV
• a motivation letter
• the names of two or three referees
• and a copy of the award certificate for the last degree

Research Fields: Environmental science

Career Stage: Early stage researcher or 0-4 yrs (Post graduate)

Research Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Benefits

The successful candidate will be employed for three years and receive a generous financial package plus an additional monthly mobility allowance according to the rates for ESRs in Marie Curie-funded programmes. The candidate will have access to the Doctoral Training Programme of the University of Rennes 1 and, as part of a Marie Curie ITN, to a set of training activities organized within the INTERFACES consortium – including secondments and visits to other network partners, Advanced Training Courses, a Joint Field Experiment, Summer School and the international INTERFACES conference.

Applications will be reviewed in batches every month until all positions are filled. The main criterion for selection will be the existing skills, knowledge and research career potential of the applicant, match with the project, and fulfillment of the above mentioned qualifications. We particularly welcome hearing from female applicants, and those who look to return to a research career. Recruitment process will include an interview with shortlisted candidates

Requirements

Required Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Degree Field: Environmental science

Required Languages: English - Excellent