The Institute for Biodiversity & Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) of the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, offers opportunities for a PhD student in Marine Microbiology and/or Biological Oceanography. Marine primary production depends on the availability of nutrients and light. Nitrogen is particularly important, because its low availability limits phytoplankton growth in large parts of the oligotrophic oceans.
Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria play a key role in the marine nitrogen cycle. Strikingly, however, oceanic nitrogen fixation seems largely restricted to the tropics. This suggests that the dominance of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria is strongly temperature dependent.
To obtain a better understanding, this PhD project will therefore run monoculture experiments and competition experiments with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria against non-nitrogen-fixing phytoplankton species at different temperatures. The project will include molecular, physiological and ecological aspects of nitrogen fixation. Which of the aspects under investigation will receive most attention will depend on the expertise and interests of the PhD student.
REQUIREMENTS:
1) Master degree (MSc, or comparable grade) in Biology or the Environmental Sciences, with specializations in microbial ecology, aquatic ecology, marine biology or biological oceanography.
2) Excellent laboratory skills, including experience with laboratory cultures of micro-organisms (bacteria, phytoplankton).
3) Excellent communication skills
4) Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary research teams.
5) Experience with mathematical models is a plus.
For additional information, please contact:
Jef Huisman, email jef.huisman@science.uva.nl
Lucas Stal, email l.stal@nioo.knaw.nl
APPLICATION:
Nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria play a key role in the marine nitrogen cycle. Strikingly, however, oceanic nitrogen fixation seems largely restricted to the tropics. This suggests that the dominance of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria is strongly temperature dependent.
To obtain a better understanding, this PhD project will therefore run monoculture experiments and competition experiments with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria against non-nitrogen-fixing phytoplankton species at different temperatures. The project will include molecular, physiological and ecological aspects of nitrogen fixation. Which of the aspects under investigation will receive most attention will depend on the expertise and interests of the PhD student.
REQUIREMENTS:
1) Master degree (MSc, or comparable grade) in Biology or the Environmental Sciences, with specializations in microbial ecology, aquatic ecology, marine biology or biological oceanography.
2) Excellent laboratory skills, including experience with laboratory cultures of micro-organisms (bacteria, phytoplankton).
3) Excellent communication skills
4) Proven ability to work in multidisciplinary research teams.
5) Experience with mathematical models is a plus.
For additional information, please contact:
Jef Huisman, email jef.huisman@science.uva.nl
Lucas Stal, email l.stal@nioo.knaw.nl
APPLICATION:
The work will be carried out partly at the University of Amsterdam and partly at the Centre of Estuarine & Marine Ecology of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology. The appointment will be for a maximum period of four years (one year plus a further three years after a positive evaluation) and should lead to a dissertation. The salary will be in accordance with the university regulations for academic personnel, and will range from € 1,956 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of € 2,502 gross per month in the fourth year; there will also be secondary benefits (holiday allowance etc). The position will start in early 2008.
Applications should include a detailed CV, the names and contact addresses of two references, and a motivation letter. They should be sent by email, mentioning vacancy number 07-1062 and the position, before 31 October 2007 to application@science.uva.nl
