PhD Position in Marine Methane Biogeochemistry at University of Southern Denmark
The Department of Biology has a vacancy for a PhD position to study microbial methane cycling in marine oxygen minimum zones. The position is for three years starting 1 March 2017. Application deadline: 19 January 2017.
The position is funded by the ERC Advanced Grant NOVAMOX, which aims at exploring novel niches of anaerobic methane oxidation and their biogeochemical significance. With methane being a potent greenhouse gas, an energy-rich fuel, and a precursor for chemicals, its pathways of production and consumption are of broad relevance. Microbes play important roles as both sources and sinks for methane in the environment. As part of a broader effort to explore and quantify methane oxidation by anaerobic microbial processes in aquatic environments – where this type of process was so far largely neglected – the main aims of the PhD project are to 1) quantify experimentally rates of methane oxidation in oxygen-depleted waters, 2) elucidate the major controls on the processes involved, and 3) evaluate the contribution of anaerobic methane oxidation for methane cycling in the regions investigated.
The selected candidate will work closely together with the NOVAMOX team and other colleagues at the Department of Biology, with extensive experience in studying microbial processes in aquatic systems, and with international collaborators exploring the microbiology of the processes involved.
The candidate should have strong interest in biogeochemistry and microbial ecology as well as practical experience in these fields, preferably including the use of stable isotope and/or radioisotope labelling for quantification of microbial processes in natural communities. The candidate should hold an MSc degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline. Good lab skills and an aptitude for fieldwork are required, and the candidate should be able to join longer oceanic expeditions.
This position is subject to the entry into force of grant agreement no 695599 by and between the European Research Council Executive Agency (ERCEA) and the University of Southern Denmark and thereby funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.
For further information please contact Bo Thamdrup, tel.: +45 6550 2477, e-mail: bot@biology.sdu.dk.