[ref. s74883000] PhD position - Environmental fate of BIO2PIM in agro-ecosystems
EU policies and the UN Sustainable Development Goals advocate for safer, sustainable alternatives like biopesticides. The Marie-Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network BIOMAC-BP (Bio-Stabilized Multi-Phase Materials as Carriers for Biopesticides) sets out to address the issue of synthetic pesticide use by developing sustainable biopesticide formulations, bringing together experts from soft-matter physics, chemical engineering, microbiology and agricultural science, and combining industrial and academic perspectives.
The project`s main objective is developing and optimizing novel bio-sourced materials to incorporate bacteria capable of producing biopesticides, enhancing the benefits of the formulations. This effort aims to reduce synthetic pesticide emissions, improve agricultural practices and support a greener future for the industry.The position is located at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences - Agrosphere (IBG-3, https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/ibg/ibg-3 )
Your Job:In both conventional and biodynamic agriculture, there is immense pest stress on cultivated plants which can be counteracted with biopesticides to secure crop yields. Even with optimal field application of biopesticides, soil and weeds are hit in addition to the target crops, directly or indirectly by wash-off/drift, similarly as happens with chemical pesticides.
Furthermore, residues from the biopesticide-treated crops can be mixed into the soil. In addition to the active ingredients or active organisms, the fate of the formulation adjuvants or carriers must also be harmless after a period of action i.e. they should not have any negative impact on the environment.
Your tasks in detail: You will:
- Investigate the fate of biopesticides in representative agroecosystem sections, following agricultural practice, with a focus on their formulation
- Study a realistic scenario by labelling formulation adjuvants with a stable isotope and a practical application as a ready-formulated biopesticide on a lysimeter
Make precise statements through the application balance and the residues of the formulation components in the different compartments soil, water and plants, whether the BIO2PHIM are integrated into the matter cycle of the soil, whether it is washed out and/or whether it is taken up by the plants
- The outdoor conditions of the lysimeter experiment and the experimental duration of two growing seasons ensure that the environmental fate of the formulation adjuvants is tested under realistic agricultural conditions
The outcome of your work will be combined with the results of your peers in the doctoral network to improve the performance of bio-pesticide formulations.
Your Profile:
- Excellent university degree (M.Sc.) in environmental chemistry, biogeochemistry, environmental science, agricultural science or a related field.
- Good experience and willingness to work in the laboratory and perform laboratory and outdoor experiments independently.
- Very good writing and communication skills in English.
- Excellent ability for cooperative collaboration in a team with several working groups from different research institutions.
- According to the mobility regulations of Marie-Sklodowska-Curie actions you must not have lived or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the last three years.
Being part of the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie doctoral network BIOMAC-BP and we are offering ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:
- A highly motivated research group in one of the biggest research centers in Europe
- Work in an interdisciplinary and international team of 14 peers and their supervisors
- Interdisciplinary scientific training in all fields relevant to the network’s scope
- Continuous scientific cross-disciplinary supervision by two scientific supervisors
- A broad variety of transferable skills training
- A four to six weeks secondment to an industrial BIOMAC-BP partner
- Additionally, Forschungszentrum Jülich offers to all its Ph D students:
- A vibrant international work environment on an attractive research campus, ideally situated between the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen
- An excellent scientific and technical infrastructure: both necessary conditions for a successful Ph D thesis within three years
- Strong support and mentoring for setting up a future career in science and/or the industry
- Extensive company health management
- Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via Ju Doc S, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
- Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
- 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
- Further information about the program can be found here: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/271696
Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs
We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.