The Darwin Center for Biogeology is a virtual Dutch research institute, partially funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO), which aims at performing cutting-edge science in the central field of Biogeology where Biology and Earth Sciences meet. Its research mission is to understand the functioning of global, regional and local ecosystems, focusing on change and feedback at all time scales in and between biotic and abiotic components of a changing Earth.
We seek a candidate for a PhD position at Utrecht University within a recently funded program entitled: Niche engineering and the evolution of biogeochemical cycles through time
Modern marine environments are characterized by complex faunal communities living in the sediment with densities and diversities that vary depending on sediment type, availability of oxygen and organic matter load arriving at the sea bottom. Some species play an extraordinary role in creating suitable environments for other taxa to live in. These keystone species, for example deep burrowing lugworms, are regarded as niche engineers. Through geological history, origination of such niche engineers is hypothesized to have lead to sudden bursts in evolution of other infaunal taxa.
This program is integrated in the Darwin Center for Biogeology, and will be performed in close cooperation with the Microbial Ecology group at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW, Yerseke). The program has 2 projects, each project carried out by a PhD student. Currently, we are looking for a candidate for the PhD position concerning the project:
The effects of bioirrigation on benthic foraminifera
The aim of this project is to study the effects of the presence of various types of niche engineers on the surrounding meiofauna, in particular the foraminiferal population, and on biogeochemical cycling. Bioturbation, burrow ventilation, bioirrigation and grazing are activities that may have a significant impact on the vertical distribution of benthic foraminifera in marine sediments. Alternatively, foraminifera seems to have a considerable impact on the bacterial population and, consequently, the biogeochemistry. The project will involve laboratory experiments with the coupled system biogeochemistry-bacteria-foraminifera in sediment cores with different imposed biogeochemical conditions, and with or without artificial bioirrigation. It also involves field sampling of marine sediments (Wadden Sea). This project will be supported by ongoing modeling work within the research groups of Stratigraphy/Paleontology at Utrecht University and Microbial Ecology group at NIOO-KNAW.
Qualifications: We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills who are interested in interdisciplinary research combining various fields of biogeology and an MSc in an appropriate field.
Terms of employment: We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years, with monthly salary starting at €1956,- in the first year to €2502,- in the last year of appointment. We also offer a pension scheme, a collective health insurance and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities and are supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 % per year and a year-end bonus of 3%.
For further details please contact: Dr. Mariëtte Wolthers (wolthers@geo.uu.nl) or Prof. Bert van der Zwaan (bzwaan@geo.uu.nl), You may also wish to visit the webpages of our Department at http://www.geo.uu.nl/.
How to apply: Applications, including a Curriculum Vitae, a statement of your research interests, and the names and addresses of 2 references, must be sent to: Faculty of Geosciences, Personnel Department, P.O. Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, or submitted by e-mail to: peno@geo.uu.nl Please mention where you originally saw our advertisement and quote vacancy number 72082 in all communications. The position is open until filled.
We seek a candidate for a PhD position at Utrecht University within a recently funded program entitled: Niche engineering and the evolution of biogeochemical cycles through time
Modern marine environments are characterized by complex faunal communities living in the sediment with densities and diversities that vary depending on sediment type, availability of oxygen and organic matter load arriving at the sea bottom. Some species play an extraordinary role in creating suitable environments for other taxa to live in. These keystone species, for example deep burrowing lugworms, are regarded as niche engineers. Through geological history, origination of such niche engineers is hypothesized to have lead to sudden bursts in evolution of other infaunal taxa.
This program is integrated in the Darwin Center for Biogeology, and will be performed in close cooperation with the Microbial Ecology group at the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW, Yerseke). The program has 2 projects, each project carried out by a PhD student. Currently, we are looking for a candidate for the PhD position concerning the project:
The effects of bioirrigation on benthic foraminifera
The aim of this project is to study the effects of the presence of various types of niche engineers on the surrounding meiofauna, in particular the foraminiferal population, and on biogeochemical cycling. Bioturbation, burrow ventilation, bioirrigation and grazing are activities that may have a significant impact on the vertical distribution of benthic foraminifera in marine sediments. Alternatively, foraminifera seems to have a considerable impact on the bacterial population and, consequently, the biogeochemistry. The project will involve laboratory experiments with the coupled system biogeochemistry-bacteria-foraminifera in sediment cores with different imposed biogeochemical conditions, and with or without artificial bioirrigation. It also involves field sampling of marine sediments (Wadden Sea). This project will be supported by ongoing modeling work within the research groups of Stratigraphy/Paleontology at Utrecht University and Microbial Ecology group at NIOO-KNAW.
Qualifications: We are looking for a highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills who are interested in interdisciplinary research combining various fields of biogeology and an MSc in an appropriate field.
Terms of employment: We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years, with monthly salary starting at €1956,- in the first year to €2502,- in the last year of appointment. We also offer a pension scheme, a collective health insurance and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Dutch Universities and are supplemented with a holiday allowance of 8 % per year and a year-end bonus of 3%.
For further details please contact: Dr. Mariëtte Wolthers (wolthers@geo.uu.nl) or Prof. Bert van der Zwaan (bzwaan@geo.uu.nl), You may also wish to visit the webpages of our Department at http://www.geo.uu.nl/.
How to apply: Applications, including a Curriculum Vitae, a statement of your research interests, and the names and addresses of 2 references, must be sent to: Faculty of Geosciences, Personnel Department, P.O. Box 80115, 3508 TC Utrecht, or submitted by e-mail to: peno@geo.uu.nl Please mention where you originally saw our advertisement and quote vacancy number 72082 in all communications. The position is open until filled.
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