Student Assistant in Soil Microbial Ecology - Vacancy at Aarhus University

Job description

This opportunity is positioned in projects studying the effects of biochar in the soil environment, specifically on the soil microbiome and interactions with other members of the soil food web. The projects are a collaboration across different biological and agronomic disciplines at Aarhus University. Crucial long-term field and shorter-term laboratory studies will investigate the potential and issues of biochar amendment to Danish agriculture on soil health and a healthy living microbiome. Central to this role is investigating the effects on biochar of different feedstocks and in different concentrations on the soil microbiome. This will include the study of interactions between biochar and biofilm forming microorganisms, interactions among microbes, invertebrates, and plant roots.

Additionally, this position aims to deepen our understanding of biofilm formation on biochar particles with possible biochar-degrading/modifying microorganisms and the functional and genetic activity of the microorganisms.

• The selected candidate will take on several duties, including collecting soil from field sites across Denmark alongside fellow scientists and field station personnel.
• Participate in field as well as lab-experiments under supervision.
• Moreover, a spirit of collaboration is vital, as the selected student assistant will be an integral part of our research team of soil and biochar projects.

This position is closely linked to the Danish Biochar Long-Term Experiment (Danish Biochar LTE). You will have the possibility of combining your bachelor’s or master’s thesis project with the position.