Adapting to climate change with increasing drought is currently one of the greatest challenges for agriculture. With the integration of deep-rooted plants or perennial taproot plants into crop rotations, mixed crops can use resources more efficiently, and greater drought stress tolerance can therefore be expected. At the same time, plant health, climate protection through carbon storage in the soil, and biodiversity should increase. The TRIO project is testing these hypotheses by cultivation of the medicinal and aromatic plants fennel, caraway, and coriander in intercropping with wheat.
Within the framework of the LOEWE priority program « TRIO: Transformative Mixed Crop Systems for One Health », which is a joint project between Geisenheim University and the Universities of Kassel and Giessen, three PhD positions will be filled at Hochschule Geisenheim University, in the Institutes of Crop Protection, Applied Ecology, and Soil Science & Plant Nutrition, focusing on:
1) Diversity, food webs, and migratory movements of arthropods in mixed cropping systems, in the department of Crop Protection
2) Water and greenhouse gas fluxes: Environmental impact of mixed crops, in the department of Applied Ecology
3) Synergistic and antagonistic effects between the cultivation partners in the mixed cultivation system, in the department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition
Where? Geisenheim in the Rheingau cultural region (50 km west of Frankfurt/Main)
When? 01.04.2024 (or later)
What? Associate Scientist (PhD student), part-time (65%), until 30.09.2027 (§ 2 para. 1 WissZeitVG)
How? send application as one PDF file by 31.01.2024 to bewerbung@hs-gm.de, quoting the reference number 104/2023
(The current deadline will probably be prolonged.)
Thèse 1: Diversity, food webs, and migratory movements of arthropods in mixed cropping systems.
Arthropods provide important ecosystem services that are relevant for plant health and yield. According to the hypothesis of biotic resistance, biological diversity in a cultivation system can reduce the damage caused by pests and increase productivity at the same time. This is to be investigated in this subproject via a comparative analysis of arthropod diversity and their ecosystem services in intercropping systems compared to the corresponding monocultures. In addition, migratory movements of beneficial arthropods between cropping partners as well as the volatile plant compounds of the partner plants will be evaluated with regard to their attractiveness for selected beneficial insects and pests in choice experiments.
→ Institute of Crop Protection, contact: Prof. Dr. Annette Reineke, annette.reineke@hs-gm.de
Thèse 2: Water and greenhouse gas fluxes: Environmental impact of mixed crops.
Emissions of the potent greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) from agricultural soils are often dominated by denitrification processes. Higher soil moisture, low oxygen contents, increased concentrations of nitrate, organic carbon and nitrogen favor N2O emissions, while methane oxidation (uptake) in soils is usually higher under more natural cultivation conditions. A higher carbon sequestration into the soil can be expected in complementary root systems. The PhD candidate should study these interdependencies in the TRIO project e.g. through weekly GHG flux measurements in the field and the use of 13C pulse labeling, in order to elucidate whether mixed crops can reduce and thus improve the GHG footprint of agricultural production.
→ Institute of Applied Ecology, contact: Prof. Dr. Claudia Kammann, claudia.kammann@hs-gm.de
Thèse 3: Synergistic and antagonistic effects between the cultivation partners in the mixed cultivation system.
Numerous physiological interactions arise between the crop partners in mixed cultures that can lead to synergies or competitive situations. To achieve stress-resistant mixed cultivation or to avoid stress caused by competition, it is therefore of the utmost importance to understand these physiological interactions in detail. This subproject examines whether a mixed culture of wheat and aromatic plants can be designed in such a way that physiological synergies outweigh possible competition for growth factors. We will also assess whether a mixed culture of wheat and deep-rooted aromatic plants leads to better utilization of soil water compared to monoculture. The experiments will be carried out in large containers.
→ Institute of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, contact: Prof. Dr. Christoph-Martin Geilfus, christoph-martin.geilfus@hs-gm.de
For all 3 PhD positions we expect:
• a successfully completed scientific university degree (M.Sc. or Uni-Dipl.) in agricultural sciences, horticulture, biology, or a related discipline
• basic knowledge of statistical analysis of experiments
• independent, structured, and careful way of working
• very good written and spoken English skills
• strong communication skills and willingness to communicate
• evaluation of data and publication in English-language scientific journals
• presentation of research results at international and national conferences
• preparation of research reports and annual reports
• supervision of Bachelor’s and Master’s theses
• previous methodological knowledge in relation to the desired position is an advantage, but not a requirement.
Our offer – your opportunity:
• Security: employment in the public sector with remuneration (depending on experience and qualifications) up to pay group 13 TV-H and a company pension scheme
• Meaningfulness: responsible task as a contribution to sustainably shaping the future
• Prospects: personal, needs-oriented support through extensive training opportunities
• Flexibility: individual working time models (work-life balance), general possibility of mobile working possibility and 30 vacation days
• Mobility: LandesTicket Hessen for 2024 for free use of local and regional public transport within Hesse
• Feel-good factor: a sense of togetherness as “Geisenheimer*in” through a familiar environment on the green campus with landmarked parks and buildings, paired with the Rheingau hospitality
Does that sound exciting to you? Then send your application (as one PDF file) quoting the reference number 104/2023 by 31.01.2024 to bewerbung@hs-gm.de. We look forward to hearing from you!
For questions please contact the following contact persons:
Application management:
Aline Wenzl/ Verena Klein
Phone: +49 6722 502-2291/ 2292
E-mail: bewerbung@hs-gm.de,
Geisenheim University
Human Resources Department
Von-Lade-Straße 1
65366 Geisenheim
Institute of Crop Protection:
Prof. Dr. Annette Reineke
Phone: +49 6722 502-413
E-mail: annette.reineke@hs-gm.de
Institute of Applied Ecology
Prof. Dr. Claudia Kammann
Phone: +49 6722 502-755
E-Mail: claudia.kammann@hs-gm.de
Institute of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition: Prof. Dr. Christoph-Martin Geilfus
Phone: +49 6722 502-432
E-Mail: christoph-martin.geilfus@hs-gm.de
Your profile and your strengths count for us. That’s why we welcome everyone, regardless of gender, age, origin, or disability. People with disabilities (as defined in Sections 2 and 3 SGB IX) will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified. Hochschule Geisenheim University is a university audited as family-friendly, promoting diversity, gender equality, and the reconciliation of work and family life. We expressly encourage women with appropriate qualifications to apply.
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