We seek a PhD student with interest in coastal carbon cycling, marine Carbon Dioxide Removal (mCDR), and its Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV). Within the Horizon Europe project MAR-CO2, the successful applicant will investigate vertical and lateral carbon and GHG exchange in the context of pilot-scale coastal mCDR, and use a suite of isotopic tools to trace internal turnover and determine sources.
Broadly, they will characterize how carbonate system perturbations evolve, dilute, and dissipate in dynamic coastal environments, following mCDR interventions. Although the primary observational tool will be discrete samples, the applicant will be embedded in a well-equipped and well-staffed laboratory environment and will work with a diverse suite of platforms, including profiling buoys, benthic landers, autonomous sensors, etc. The PhD student will collaborate closely with modelers to integrate observations into predictive tools, and with social scientists to help place MRV findings within broader governance and stakeholder contexts.
Equal opportunity is an important part of our personnel policy. We would therefore strongly encourage qualified women to apply for the position. The position is part-time (planned for 19.5 hours/week) for three years.
Your tasks
1. sample collection during field campaigns, and subsequent laboratory analysis
2. explore carbon and GHG turnover and exchanges in coastal systems impacted by mCDR
3. work with project partners to develop novel MRV approaches
4. engagement with interdisciplinary team, outreach with mCDR stakeholders
Your profile
5. MSc or comparable degree in Environmental Science, Chemistry, Oceanography, or related field (required)
6. experience with laboratory analysis and field expeditions (desired)
7. basic knowledge of the marine carbonate system, including TA, DIC, pH, and pCO2 observations (required)
8. quantitative skills in time-series analysis, biogeochemical data processing, and uncertainty assessment (R, Matlab, Python, or similar) (desired)
9. excellent English communication skills and the ability to work in interdisciplinary international teams (required)
We offer you
10. an exciting and varied job in a research centre with around 1,000 employees from more than 60 nations
11. a well-connected research campus (public transport) and best networking opportunities, subsidy for the Deutschlandticket if certain conditions are met (job ticket)
12. individual opportunities for further training
13. social benefits according to the collective agreement of the public service and remuneration up to pay group 13 according to TV EntgO Bund
14. an excellent technical infrastructure and modern workplace equipment
15. 6 weeks holiday per year; company holidays between Christmas and New Year's Day
16. very good compatibility of private and professional life; offers of mobile and flexible work
17. PhD Buddy Program
18. family-friendly company policy with childcare facilities, e.g. nursery close to the company
19. free assistance program for employees (EAP)
Severely disabled persons and those equaling severely disabled persons who are equally suitable for the position will be considered preferentially within the framework of legal requirements.