PhD position on measuring deep soil carbon and roots in situ on a landscape level

Vacancy for a PhD position (3 and half years)

University of natural resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria (BOKU) and

Porto University, Porto, Portugal

Measuring deep soil carbon and root distribution on a landscape level using in situ soil hyperspectral and root imaging probes

A PhD position focused on testing and evaluating hyperspectral and a root imagine soil probes for field use and develop a intelligent method for by few samples estimating soil carbon and root distribution on a landscape level. The position is in both BOKU, Austria (year 1 and 2) and Porto University, Faculty of Sciences (year 3 and ½ 4 )

Project description:

Soil carbon and root distribution are important parameters when measuring carbon budgets on a landscape level, but sampling and analysis is very labor intensive. By using a probe, with measurement capabilities, inserted into the ground, soil carbon and roots could be analyzed in situ at a very low cost. In this project we want to test and calibrate a new method /equipment developed using a hyperspectral camera to determine the soil carbon pool down to 90 cm soil depth. We also intend to develop a root camera to be pushed down to measure the root density. With these efficient sampling methods, we will then develop smart sampling strategies for modeling soil caron and root distribution on a landscape level.

The two first years of work will be at BOKU where the candidate for the first year will work with a post doc specialized in hyperspectral and picture analysis. The third year the candidate will move to Porto University, Portugal, to do the final landscape sampling and modeling. Additionally, the candidate will be involved in soil sampling and in carbon analysis in order to build up hyperspectral libraries and to both calibrate and validate spectral measurements.

Main tasks in this PhD position:

• Evaluate and test the hyperspectral and root image probes. Field and lab work.
• Develop a in situ hyperspectral soil database.
• Model soil carbon stocks on a landscape level based on an efficient sampling strategy.

Your profile:

• Master, or Honors, degree in Engineering, soil or environmental science or an equivalent degree in a related field (also candidates that will obtain their degree soon are invited to apply).
• You are practical and highly motivated to construct things and run machines
• You are highly motivated to perform scientific research that involves lab and field work, quantitative data analyses as well as writing scientific publications. 

• You are a team player with good communication skills, you like to write and discuss ideas. An excellent knowledge of the English language is required.
• You are highly motivated to work in a collaborative project with people from different disciplines
• You are motivated to have an experience abroad and you want to live first in Austria and then in Portugal
• You have a driving license

We offer:

• A PhD position with salary for 3.5 years based at the institute of Forest ecology, BOKU, Vienna (year 1 and 2) and Porto university, Portugal (year 3 and ½ 4)
• The salary will be paid according to the Austrian/Portugal salary standard.
• Collaboration within the EU project PHENET:

• The possibility to gain experience in novel and highly relevant methods for in situ measurements of soil carbon stocks and roots development
• Learn to think and write science
• New software and data analyses skills
• The opportunity to obtain a PhD degree at BOKU and Porto University
•  Starting September or October 2023

How to apply:

Please send your application, consisting of an application letter of max 1 page, your CV, one reference letter and the names and contact details of two reference persons by 11 of August to hans.sanden@boku.ac.at or ruth.pereira@fc.up.pt . Subject: “PhD position soil probe” All documents should be merged to one single PDF-file.

More information!

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Hans Sandén or Ruth Pereira via email

More information about the Universities you find at:

https://www.wabo.boku.ac.at/en/ife/ and https://www.up.pt/portal/en/

We encourage women to apply as we aim to have more women at the institute.

We regret that we cannot reimburse applicants travel and lodging expenses incurred as part of the selection and hiring process.