PhD candidate in leaf-canopy processes (M/F)

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is offering a fully paid PhD candidate position in the framework of a newly

funded ATTRACT project: “Water and vegetation in a changing Environment” (WAVE ).

This position is envisaged to start between January 1st 2018 and 1st June 2018. The PhD candidate will be part of the Water Safety and

Security Unit at the Department of Environmental Research and Innovation (ERIN) at LIST and will work in the Catchment and Eco-Hydrology (CAT) research group.

PhD project context

Environmental change can be observed at different spatial and temporal scales and encompasses various system properties, such as

climate, land use, topography and soil properties. The WAVE project aims to improve our understanding of the interactions between vegetation and the water balance in ecosystems, in order to enable better predictions of some of the consequences of land use and environmental change for both ecosystem services and water resources. Given the paramount importance of the leaf-air interface for plant performance, water resources and climate feedbacks the overall theme of the advertised position will be: “Optimal control and physical constraints of canopy gas and energy exchange”.

This project will combine experimental work and mathematical modelling to:

1. Elucidate the importance of evaporative cooling for stomatal control.

2. Identify the dominant drivers of canopy-atmosphere coupling and quantify the effects of leaf gas and energy exchange on atmospheric

conditions.

3. Formulate a physically consistent gas exchange model applicable at scales from leaf to canopy.

Description

The candidate will construct and test measurement setups and investigate physical constraints on leaf gas and energy exchange as well

as canopy-atmosphere interactions through experimental analysis and model simulations.

To this effect, the candidate will explore cutting edge technologies to sense, quantify and visualise processes at scales ranging from

stomata (microscopic) to canopies.

Ideally, the candidate holds a Master in environmental science, geo-ecology, or a related discipline, has an interest in plants and

vegetation-atmosphere interactions, no fear of Physics, Maths and programming, and is highly motivated to pursue rigorous approaches to

find definitive answers to scientific questions.

Eligibility

• No restrictions apply as to the nationality of the candidates
• Candidates may not have received a doctorate prior to their application to this position
• Candidates shall be available for starting their position no later than 1st June 2018

Complementary information:

• Primary supervisor at LIST: Dr. S. Schymanski
• Degree-awarding institution: University of Luxembourg
• Primary work location:  Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST)
• Durationand location of secondment/s: Temporary stays with one of the collaborators in the WAVE project (e.g. ETH Zurich, WSL, University of Western Australia) for field work and exchange of theoretical/technological know-how will be arranged according to needs and opportunities.