The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPI-BGC) in Jena is dedicated to interdisciplinary fundamental research in the field of Earth system sciences with a focus on climate and ecosystems. The internationally renowned institute, which currently employs around 250 people, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. Jena is known for high-tech industry, internationally renowned research institutions and a modern university, but it also has a beautiful natural setting in the green Saale valley with steep limestone slopes. The city of Jena has an active student scene and a diverse cultural life. We are looking to fill a PhD position (m/f/d) on Improving soil carbon models using energy transformations and optimality.
Background and position description
The cycling of soil organic carbon is playing a critical role in the Earth system. Currently, these dynamics are described using mass balance equations, ignoring that besides carbon also energy is being transformed. These energy transformations follow thermodynamic rules. The aim of this project is to explore if known thermodynamic constraints and optimality principles can help us to better understand soil processes and to identify simple, universal formulations to describe the potential of soils to store and cycle carbon. The project is part of the DFG Priority Programme “Soil Systems” (SPP 2322), providing broad knowledge and experimental data to study interactions between carbon and energy fluxes in soils.
We seek a highly motivated person to work on this project, jointly co-advised by Dr. Thomas Wutzler and Dr. Axel Kleidon of the Soil Biogeochemistry and Biospheric Theory and Modelling groups at the Max-Planck-Institute for Biogeochemistry in Jena. For questions about the project, please do not hesitate to contact the advisors.
Your tasks
- Compile literature and data review on Gibbs free energy changes in soil processes
- Identify potential optimality constraints, such as trade-offs between microbial growth efficiency and investment
- Formulate simple quantitative models of soil organic matter and energy transformations.
- Test models with experimental data
- Interact with other groups of the DFG Priority Programme
Your profile
- Diploma or Master´s degree in geosciences, environmental sciences, physics, soil science, or related disciplines
- Comfortable with mathematics and abstract/analytical systems thinking
- Fluent in written and oral communications skills in English
- Curios about the topic and willing to expand her/his knowledge in related disciplines
- A background in thermodynamics and/or soil science is beneficial
- Experience with programming (Python, Julia or other languages) and modelling is beneficial
Our offer
A PhD position for 36 month, starting in June 2025 or later. Part-time work is generally possible. The position will be evaluated and graded following the collective agreement according to TVöD Bund.
The Max Planck Society (MPS) strives for gender equality and diversity. The MPS aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all fields. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.
Your application
Are you interested? Please send us your application with cover letter, curriculum vitae as well a s names and contact information of two references summarised in a PDF file (max. 10 MB) by March 23, 2025, quoting the reference number 02/2025 by e-mail to bewerbung@bgc-jena.mpg.de or to the
Max Planck Institut for Biogeochemistry
Personalbüro: Kennwort „Doktorand”
Hans-Knöll-Straße 10
07745 Jena
Germany
We ask that you do not use application folders, but only submit copies, as your documents will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations after the application process has been completed. We look forward to receiving your application!