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Thursday, April 02, 2009

PhD Phosphorus dynamics and benthic photosynthesis

The NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is an independent research institute associated with the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). NIOZ was founded in 1876 and is one of the oldest major European Oceanographic institutions. Its mission is to pursue curiosity-driven multidisciplinary marine research in coastal and shelf seas as well as in the open ocean through close co-operation between physicists, chemists, geologists and biologists.


The Department of Marine Geology (GEO) performs research on marine geochemistry, sedimentology, and palaeoceanography and is composed of ca. 20 people.

We have a vacancy for a

PhD student (m/f)
Phosphorus dynamics and benthic photosynthesis

We are looking for a highly motivated individual with a MSc in Bio- or Geosciences with an interest in numerical modelling.

Job description. Within the Sea and Coast Programme of the Dutch funding agency NWO, the NIOZ and the Netherlands Institute for Ecology (NIOO-CEME) will conduct a study on phosphorus (P) as a limiting factor for primary production in the western Wadden Sea, coordinated by Dr. J. Kromkamp (NIOO). The sediment is a large repository for phosphorus and considered an important P-source for primary production. Previous studies indicate that benthic phototrophic communities modulate sediment P-release directly via selective uptake, or indirectly by changing the chemistry of surficial sediments as a consequence of their metabolic activity. The (re-)distribution of phosphorus between the water column and sediment is hypothesized to control the productivity and species composition of both microphytobenthos and phytoplankton communities. As a consequence it may direct the carbon and energy flows and structure the foodweb in the western Wadden Sea from the very basis. Applying geochemical approaches during field surveys, the candidate will assess the contribution of sediment-P in supporting benthic and pelagic primary production. In addition, the candidate will develop a dynamic biogeochemical model, focusing on the dynamics of water-nutrient exchange and the modulating role of microphytobenthos populations.

Further information on the project and the position can be obtained from Dr. Eric Epping (NIOZ, eric.epping@nioz.nl, +31 (0)222 369444) or Dr. Karline Soetaert (NIOO, k.soetaert@nioo.knaw.nl, +31 (0)113 577 487).

We offer a PhD position for 4 years. This includes a pension scheme, a health insurance allowance, a yearly 8% vacation allowance, year-end bonus and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Research Institutes.

Applications. Applicants should send an application letter, a CV with reference list, and a statement of research interest to the HRM Department, attended to ms. J. Evers, NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands or email to: jobs@nioz.nl

Closing date: April 15th 2009 or until a qualified candidate is identified.

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