Carsten Simon

Dr. Carsten Simon is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) in Leipzig, Germany, where he works in the Department of Analytical Chemistry as part of the MADDOMS project since June 2022. His research focuses on environmental analytical chemistry with specialization in dissolved organic matter analysis using advanced mass spectrometry techniques. Previously, he held postdoctoral positions at ETH Zurich and the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry.

• Current Position: Postdoc, MADDOMS project at UFZ Leipzig
• Previous Positions: ETH Zurich, Eawag Dübendorf, Max Planck Institute
• Education: PhD in Geosciences from University of Jena and Max Planck Institute

Simon's research interests center on understanding soil organic matter composition and transformation processes using ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry. His work examines molecular changes in dissolved organic matter during soil passage, carbon cycling in various ecosystems, and the impacts of agricultural practices on soil chemistry. He specializes in Orbitrap and FT-ICR mass spectrometry techniques to analyze complex environmental samples from terrestrial, aquatic, and marine systems.

His publication record reveals a strong focus on environmental biogeochemistry with particular attention to soil-plant interactions, organic matter cycling, and analytical method development. Simon's most influential work includes studies on dissolved organic matter persistence in soils, international laboratory comparisons of organic matter analysis, and molecular signatures of terrestrial environments. His recent publications demonstrate increasing focus on agricultural impacts on soil organic matter, carbon cycling in wetlands, and advanced analytical techniques for environmental samples.

Simon actively contributes to the scientific community through peer review for numerous high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Environmental Science & Technology, and Biogeosciences. He is a member of both the Deutsche Bodenkundliche Gesellschaft (DBG) and the European Geosciences Union (EGU), demonstrating his engagement with the broader soil science and environmental research communities.

As a postdoctoral researcher, Simon collaborates extensively with international research teams across Europe and South America, particularly on projects related to Amazon rainforest ecosystems and European soil systems. His work bridges analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, and environmental science to address fundamental questions about organic matter cycling in natural and managed ecosystems.