SD-25100- POSTDOC ON THE EFFECTS OF LEAF SURFACE PROPERTIES ON MASS AND ENERGY EXCHANGE

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Plant leaves exhibit a staggering diversity in shape, size and surface properties. Many of these properties are believed to represent adaptations to specific environmental conditions, resulting in distinct distributions of certain combinations of leaf properties, such as large leaves with low densities of stomata and veins prevailing in shady environments, whereas small-leaved species predominate in hot and sunny arid environments. In general, leaf size and shape are believed to influence the coupling of the leaf to its surrounding air, whereas stomatal size, shape and distribution are assumed to determine the plant’s control on leaf gas exchange. Leaf spectral properties are attributed to light capture for photosynthesis and radiative heat dissipation for temperature management, whereas the role of structural leaf surface properties, such as the presence of bumps and trichomes (hairs originating from epidermal tissue), is less clear.

In the framework of the interdisciplinary research project LeafSurf, we will use a worldwide unique laser system capable of performing single shot coherent Rayleigh-Brillouin scattering (CRBS) measurements of gas temperature, density and flow velocity vectors for the thermodynamic characterisation of the boundary layer formed around a leaf placed in a wind tunnel, and combine these measurements with hyperspectral characterisation of the leaf optical properties. We will also construct artificial leaves (leaf replica), mimicking the key features of real leaves, and conduct similar experiments in the wind tunnel and in a commercial leaf gas exchange apparatus (LI-6800), with the goal of testing hypotheses about the effect of leaf surface properties on their energy balance and gas exchange. Experiments will be accompanied by mathematical modelling of the physical processes involved.

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• An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects
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• Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations in all that we do
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• 32 days’ paid annual leave, 11 public holidays, 13-month salary, statutory health insurance
• Flexible working hours, home working policy and access to lunch vouchers

Temporary contract | 36 months | Belval Are you passionate about research? So are we! Come and join us

How will you contribute?

In accordance with any emerging new insights in the literature, you will update the experimental strategy and carry out all the experimental work, supported by technical staff and specialists on the respective instruments. You will assist in the design and testing of the leaf replica, whereas the fabrication will be performed by specialists in the clean lab. You will leverage and develop your expertise to generate new knowledge on leaf thermodynamic processes based on continued literature study, mathematical modelling of the leaf boundary layer conductance and its interactions wtih stomatal control and the leaf energy balance, and your own experimental data. You will follow state-of-the-art open science principles throughout your research and publish your model code, results and scientific papers with an open access licence.

Is Your profile described below? Are you our future colleague? Apply now!

Education

• You hold a PhD in Physics, Biology, Environmental Science, or a related discipline

Experience and skills

• You have a strong interest for plants and Physics. A background in plant ecophysiology and/or mass and heat transfer physics would be ideal, but is not required.
• You have laboratory experimental experience.
• You have programming experience, knowledge of Python and Git is a plus.
• You have a proven ability to write high-quality scientific papers.

Language skills

• Good level both written and spoken English