海外

- novel organometal phosphates and layered double hydroxides

Department of Agriculture and Ecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Copenhagen invites applications for a position as Post Doc within the field of Synthesis and Soil Reactivity of Fertilizers – novel organometal phosphates and layered double hydroxides from 1st March 2012 or as soon possible thereafter. The duration of the employment is 30 months.

Research at the department focuses on plants, animals, microorganisms, soil, and environmental science – from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. We currently have 14 teams of research groups conducting both basic and applied research at the Department. Read more at http://www.agreco.life.ku.dk/English.aspx.

A brief description of the topical area:
In the future, an increasing pressure to produce food on less fertile land is likely to evolve, due to the combined factors of encroachment on fertile land due to urban sprawl, the predicted decline in potential of currently fertile areas due to climate change, and not least the predicted increase in global population and wealth. Thus, while incentives to improve the efficiency of compound fertilisers have been rather week in the past, due to abundance of land, energy and raw materials, it is important to address this issue for the future.

With the view to develop phosphorus and micronutrient fertilisers that are highly efficient, even in highly reactive soils of low fertility we hypothesize that: Multi-element fertiliser P and micronutrient formulations will have much increased efficiency if they remain unreacted with the soil constituents until a plant root system actively seeks out the granule and modifies the conditions for nutrient release.

The post doctorate fellow will be responsible for the synthesis of humic matter-metal-phosphate compounds and layered double hydroxides containing essential plant micronutrients (eg. Mn, Cu, Zn, Mg, Mo, B), and encapsulated in host structures. Furthermore the doctorate fellow will characterize these substances and document their reaction in a range of soil types. The project will be carried out in collaboration with a PhD student that will be responsible for the identification of mechanisms for nutrient release from the above matrices, through experiments with plant species with varying abilities to affect key physical-chemical and biological parameters in the rhizosphere.

Senior scientists involved:
Jakob Magid, Lars Stoumann Jensen (Soil Fertility), Jan K. Schjørring (Plant Nutrition), Hans Christian Bruun Hansen (Environmental Soil Chemistry), Enzo Lombi (Soil Fertility and Remediation, University of South Australia) and Jose Maria Garcia-Mina (Soil and Agricultural Chemistry, University of Navarra)

Duties
The post doc´s duties will include research within the field of Synthesis and Soil Reactivity of Fertilizers – novel organometal phosphates and layered double hydroxides. The post may include teaching to a limited extent.

Qualifications – selection criteria
Applicants must have a Ph.D. degree. Qualifications within one or more of the following scientific areas are required:

• Solid state chemistry/synthesis chemistry
• Analytical chemistry
• Environmental chemistry and/or soil/water chemistry
• Documented research experience with research, analytical work and data analyses.

Experience with microscopic, spectroscopic and kinetic methods for the characterization of solids and their reactivities, such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and radioisotope methods will be an advantage.

The post doc is also required to be enterprising and to possess good interpersonal skills.

Terms of employment
The post will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The post is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Applications will be assessed according to the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation Executive Order no 284 of 25. April 2008. Read more about the recruitment process at LIFE here.

The University of Copenhagen welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, gender, race, religion or ethnic background.

Questions
For further information about the post, please contact project manager Jakob Magid on tel. (+45) 35 33 3491, jma@life.ku.dk

Potential applicants from outside Denmark will find information about life in Denmark (taxation, healthcare etc) at http://ism.ku.dk/.

Application
Apply by clicking “Apply online” below.

Applications – in English – must include:

Cover letter
A 1-2 page (max 2 pages including references) outline of how you would approach the study.
CV with documentation of education
A complete list of publications
A maximum of 10 relevant scientific works which the applicant wishes to be included in the assessment.
Teaching portfolio

• Participation in development of educations and seminars
• Development of educational material
• Experience with examination and/or censorship

Please submit your application no later than December 15th 2011
Only electronic applications are accepted.

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