Description

Temporary contract | 24 months | Belvaux

Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.


Do you want to know more about LIST? Check our website: https://www.list.lu/


The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is offering a fully paid Post-doctoctoral position in the framework of a newly funded Doctoral Training Unit (DTU) in Forest ecosystems: “Forest function under stress” (FORFUS). FORFUS is funded through the PRIDE scheme of the Luxembourg National Research Fund (FNR). The main objective of FORFUS is to train a new generation of highly skilled experts with a view to contribute to solving some of the most pressing challenges related to forest health and resilience management. This position is envisaged to start between October 1st 2024 and December 1st 2024 and will extend over a maximum duration of 2 years.

How will you contribute?

The general theme of this Post-doc project is on the temporal dynamics of water exchanges inside the critical zone. The focus is set on a more realistic understanding of the transpiration process in forest ecosystems. Despite the importance of plant transpiration in the water cycle, the mechanisms that regulate its contribution are still poorly understood and have been little investigated.
To this day the influence of heterogeneous nutrient availability on the root carbon budget is not well understood. Specifically, the dynamics and intensity of root nutrient uptake and growth adaptations to changing accessibility of nutrient pools in space and time according to soil moisture levels and soil compaction intensity are not known. We are interested in investigating these adaptations in terms of carbon budget changes in a typical forest soil environment, where three main nutrient pools are normally represented by the litter layer pool (in the topsoil), by the soil pool and by the saprolite and bedrock pool (deep soil), and where nutrient accessibility is determined by moisture levels and affected by the extent of soil compaction. We want to answer the following research questions:

• How is the root carbon budget affected under different accessibilities of different nutrient pools?
• Is water redistribution a means to facilitate nutrient uptake from easily accessible nutrient pools over less accessible nutrient pools?
• How does soil compaction affect root water and nutrient uptake?

To answer those questions, we plan to set up a controlled experiment that will consist of the typical temperate deciduous forest soil horizons and have a litter layer at the top and a regolith/bedrock layer at the bottom. We will use optode sensor foils and place them by the nutrient pools to observe the CO2, O2 and p H dynamics deriving from root activity and from root exudates and utilize different stable water isotopes. We will monitor local root growth rates by utilizing repetitive and non-destructive root imaging techniques. We will use several replicas with different treatments in order to have a clearer idea of what strategies are implemented and if the carbon budgeting and allocation change under known controlled conditions. The aboveground part of the trees will be contained in a chamber and the transpiration rates and photosynthetic gas exchanges will be measured with LICOR in order to determine water uptake rates and plant performance. Observations of root growth rates, transpiration and photosynthetic rates as well as of root CO2 release and O2 consumption will provide indications of potential strategies and changes in carbon budgeting implemented to cope with soil compaction while meeting transpiration demand.


The Post-doctoral researcher will be part of the CATchment and eco-hydrology group of the ENVIronmental Sens Ing and modelling research unit and will work in close collaboration with the INRAE group in Biogeochemistry of Forest Ecosystem (BEF/INRAE), located in Nancy, France. The candidate will also contribute to the general objectives of the FORFUS DTU and strongly interact with the Ph D students that are part of the DTU.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

• Ph D degree in Environmental sciences with a focus on soil/root interactions and/or nutrient biogechemistry

Experience and skills

• A strong experience in setup and implementation of laboratory experiments. Any experience in using isotope tracers and in preparing/analysing environmental samples for trace element concentrations (ICP-MS, ICP-OES) and/or stable isotopes (Laser Spectroscopy, IRMS) will be considered as an asset.
• A recognized track record in the scientific field of their Ph D. Selection criteria will focus on the scientific quality of their research output.
• Class B driving license

Language skills

• Good level both written and spoken English and French
• High motivation and communication skills within an international multi- to interdisciplinary research environment

Your LIST benefits

• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
• Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society
• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
• An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas
• Personalized learning programme to foster our staff’s soft and technical skills
• Multicultural and international work environment with more than 50 nationalities represented in our workforce
• Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions
• Female-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science
• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Apply online
Your application must include:

• A motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience
• A scientific CV with contact details
• List of publications and patents(if applicable)
• Contact details of 2 references

Please apply ONLINE formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.


Application procedure and conditions

• We kindly request applicants to provide their nationality for statistical purposes only, as part of our commitment to promoting diversity and ensuring equal opportunities in our workforce. This information will be kept confidential and will not be used for any discriminatory purposes.
• LIST is dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to attracting, hiring, and retaining a diverse workforce. All applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age, or disability.
• Applications will be reviewed until end of September 2024. An assessment committee will thoroughly evaluate applications, adhering to guidelines designed to ensure equal opportunities. The primary criteria for selection will be the alignment of the applicant's existing skills and expertise with the requirements mentioned above.

Languages English Education Postgraduate Experience 0+ years