PhD Student Position in Soil Science

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Department of Forest Ecology & Management, Umeå PhD STUDENT POSITION in Soil Science A PhD-student position is immediately available in the research project "Temperature control of microbial turnover of organic carbon - effect of substrate quality and characteristics of catabolic and anabolic processes" a collaboration between SLU and Umeå University.The global soil carbon pool contains twice the amount of atmospheric CO2 carbon, and is commonly predicted to be degraded faster at increased temperature, further increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations and thereby enhancing the green house effect.However, the scientific base for this prediction is contentious and several reports indicating low or non existing temperature response for degradation of organic material have been published.The PhD-project aims at understanding these conflicting results based on a detailed examination at the molecular level of the temperature control on organic matter degradation.The experimental work is focused on the degradation of representative model substances at different temperatures and how the temperature response varies between catabolic and anabolic processes.Much of the experimental work will be based on temperature controlled respiration equipments and NMR-techniques.The student will be enrolled in the PhD program and is expected to fulfill course requirements and perform certain administrative functions.The position lasts for 48 months during which the holder of the position is supposed to obtain a PhD degree.Education: At least a BSc in Soil Science, Microbiology, Environmental Chemistry, Biochemistry or comparable.Documented experience from scientific work on NMR techniques, biochemistry, biogeochemistry or soil microbiology is a merit.Please note that the department is under formation and so is its web site! SLU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.You are welcome to submit your application, labelled with the reference number ref.nr 994/07 including CV motivation (½ - 1 page) to why you would like to achieve a PhD degree name, phone number and E-mail of three referees and other documents you like to attach.Submit the application not later than April 23, 2007 to: Registrator, SLU, Box 7070, 750 07 Uppsala, Sweden. For information on the SLU and Umeå University Campus please see www.slu.se and www.umu.se