Environmental/Soil Modeler Postdoc (f/m/x) - Modelling subsoil contribution to the overall soil functions

The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.

Ihre Aufgaben

The Working Group Soil Modeling in the Department Soil System Science is looking for a soil modeller, starting on the 1^st of October limited to 4 years, within the EU HORIZON2020 project "DeepHorizon". DeepHorizon is gathering 18 partners to improve our understanding and management of subsoil properties, functions and ecosystem services. DeepHorizon aims to unlock knowledge of the subsoil in the critical zone by bringing together key experts and practitioners. This will enable the deployment of ecosystemic solutions to improve subsoil functions for soil health. The goal of DeepHorizon is to develop tools that enable practitioners, land managers, and policymakers to access subsoil properties, functions, subsoil health indicators, and financial decision support tools to promote sustainable subsoil management. DeepHorizon will collect and use existing data on subsoils and generate new data through a multi-actor approach from farmers to policymakers. The DeepHorizon project aims to improve subsoil functions across Europe through four main strategies: (1) identifying and mapping subsoil properties and functions; (2) developing innovative tools and technologies to monitor and manage subsoil health; (3) establishing subsoil health indicators; and (4) involving practitioners and stakeholders to co-create, test and deploy solutions. The announced position will contribute to the work package on "Modelling subsoil contribution to the overall soil functions", The Working Group Soil Modeling in the Department Soil System Science is looking for a soil modeller, starting on the 1^st of October limited to 4 years, within the EU HORIZON2020 project "DeepHorizon". DeepHorizon is gathering 18 partners to improve our understanding and management of subsoil properties, functions and ecosystem services. DeepHorizon aims to unlock knowledge of the subsoil in the critical zone by bringing together key experts and practitioners. This will enable the deployment of ecosystemic solutions to improve subsoil functions for soil health. The goal of DeepHorizon is to develop tools that enable practitioners, land managers, and policymakers to access subsoil properties, functions, subsoil health indicators, and financial decision support tools to promote sustainable subsoil management. DeepHorizon will collect and use existing data on subsoils and generate new data through a multi-actor approach from farmers to policymakers. The DeepHorizon project aims to improve subsoil functions across Europe through four main strategies: (1) identifying and mapping subsoil properties and functions; (2) developing innovative tools and technologies to monitor and manage subsoil health; (3) establishing subsoil health indicators; and (4) involving practitioners and stakeholders to co-create, test and deploy solutions. The announced position will contribute to the work package on "Modelling subsoil contribution to the overall soil functions"

Your tasks

• You will develop process-based approaches for modelling the turnover and stabilization of organic matter and subsoil structure dynamics

• You will integrate subsoil processes in the existing process-based model BODIUM and assess the subsoil contribution to soil health in agricultural systems

• You will collaborate with other work packages providing data to validate your model approach

• You will identify key soil properties that indicate subsoil quality and the identification of indicators

• You will quantify the potential of the subsoil and the vulnerability of pedo-climatic soil types at the EU level on the basis of model scenarios

Ihr Profil

• PhD in soil science, system science, or related discipline

• Your professional expertise should cover at least one of the following two fields:

• Programming skills in C++, Phyton or similar programming languages ideally combined with the ambition to model natural systems and to understand soil processes and their complex interactions.

• Profound knowledge of soil processes ideally with special focus on carbon turnover in connection with soil structure dynamics and the ambition to model the relevant processes mathematically.

• Good communication skills and willingness to work in an interdisciplinary group

• Excellent command of English and German

Wir bieten Ihnen

100 % (39 h / Woche)

The job position is available for full-time or part-time employment.

Contract limitations

limited contract / 30.09.2028 (limited to 4 years), Remuneration according to the TVöD public-sector up to pay grade 13 including attractive public-sector social security benefits.,

• The freedom to master even the most demanding challenges between basic research and practical application

• The chance to work in interdisciplinary, international teams and benefit from a variety of perspectives

• Firstclass 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

• Flexible working hours and a wide range of options for balancing work and care responsibilities 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 Germany Job Ticket

• A workplace in a vibrant region with a high life quality and social and cultural diversity

Kontakt

Your contact for any questions you may have about the job: Prof. Dr. H.-J. Vogel Department Bodensystemforschung Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ Theodor-Lieser-Strasse 4 / D-06120 Halle hans-joerg.vogel[at]ufz.de phone +49 341 60254404