PostDoc (m/f/d) | Plant Hydraulic Conductance across Ecosystems

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry (MPI-BGC) in Jena is dedicated to interdisciplinary fundamental research in the field of Earth system sciences with a focus on climate and ecosystems. The internationally renowned institute, which currently employs around 250 people, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2022. Jena is known for high-tech industry, internationally renowned research institutions and a modern university, but it also has a beautiful natural setting in the green Saale valley with steep limestone slopes. The city of Jena has an active student scene and a diverse cultural life. The Climate and Plant Ecophysiology (CAPE) group in the Biogeochemical Signals department is seeking to recruit a PostDoc (m/f/d) Determining plant hydraulic conductance across ecosystems for 2 years, starting as soon as possible.

Background and position description

Plant hydraulics describe the capacity of plants to extract water from the soil and transport it up to their canopies. Variations in plant hydraulic properties and status (for example, induced by drought) directly affect plant gas exchange and growth, and therefore understanding these variations is key to accurately representing water and carbon exchanges over land. Whereas some hydraulic traits are commonly measured (e. g., P₅₀), others are not and pose a major parameterisation challenge for terrestrial and climate models that embed a representation of plant hydraulics.
This project will aim to propose a new methodology to quantify and determine variability in the maximum hydraulic conductance in the soil–plant continuum (K_max), an important model parameter which is seldom measured.
The successful candidate will contribute to interdisciplinary research within the
Climate and Plant Ecophysiology group of the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry.

Your tasks

• Constrain estimates of K_max from observations using a variety of numerical methods (e. g., optimisation modelling, ML)
• Assess variability in hydraulic conductance across ecosystems
• Analyse legacy effects from recurring drought, cold spells, and heatwaves on K_max
• Present results in meetings or conferences, publish in scientific journals

Your profile

• PhD in climate or Earth system sciences, bioinformatics, physics, physical geography, hydrology, applied mathematics, atmospheric science, or disciplines related to environmental sciences
• Interest in numerical modelling, terrestrial ecosystem responses
• Motivated and proactive
• Experience in a higher programming language (e. g. FORTRAN, C++; desired) and experience in a scripting language (e. g., python, R; required)
• Experience working in high-performance computing systems (highly desired)
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• Good written and spoken English

Our offer

This two years full time PostDoc position is to be filled as soon as possible. Part-time work is generally possible. The position will be evaluated and graded following the collective agreement according to TVöD Bund; in addition, we will provide a pension plan based on the public service (VBL).
The Max Planck Society (MPS) strives for gender equality and diversity. The MPS aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. Women are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. We welcome applications from all fields. The Max Planck Society has set itself the goal of employing more severely disabled people. Applications from severely disabled persons are expressly encouraged.

Your application

Are you interested? Please send us your application with cover letter, curriculum vitae as well a s names and contact information of two references summarised in a PDF file (max. 10 MB) by January 22, 2025, quoting the reference number 23/2024 by e-mail to bewerbung@bgc-jena.mpg.de or to the

Max-Planck-Institut für Biogeochemie
Personalbüro: Kennwort “PostDoc CAPE”
Hans-Knöll-Straße 10
07745 Jena

We ask that you do not use application folders, but only submit copies, as your documents will be destroyed in accordance with data protection regulations after the application process has been completed. We look forward to receiving your application!