Background
Project title: Integrated taxonomy involving SEdiment DNA to explore benthic Community response to glacier melt and Anthropogenic development in the Patagonian Subantarctic (SECAP)
The fjords of the Magellan region are under the combined pressure of increasing glacier melt, aquaculture, and tourism. This PhD project aims to calibrate sedimentary DNA (sedDNA) with historical species inventories to analyse long-term community changes. Using sedDNA metabar coding and morpho-taxonomy, its objectives are to: 1) validate the taxonomic macrobenthos inventories of the Patagonian fjords, 2) track temporal changes in benthic community composition, and 3) examine relationships between communities and environmental factors, while also assessing aquaculture pollution and glacier run-off impacts. It is hypothesised that sedDNA can be used to reflect species inventories, detect ancient communities, and reveal biodiversity changes.
Tasks
- Metabar coding/shotgun analyses of sedDNA from the Magellan region
- DNA barcoding of EtOH fixed species from the Magellan region
- Comparing species inventories determined from the sedDNA with morpho-taxonomically determined species inventories
- Soft sediment macrobenthos sampling, geostatistics, mapping, performing in vitro experiments
- Performing statistical analysis and publishing articles in international journals
Requirements
- MSc in (marine) biology, biological oceanography, or a related field
- Background in scientific experiments and analyses (preferably at a genetics laboratory, knowledge of bioinformatics or static analysis is desirable)
- Experience with marine invertebrates, ideally with benthos
- Willingness to carry out expeditions and aquaria experiments
- Good communication skills in English, both oral and written
Further Information
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Dr Jürgen Laudien (+49 471 4831 1315; juergen.laudien@awi.de).
This position is limited to 3 years. The expected starting date is 1st December 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13 (66%). The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.
All doctoral candidates will be members of AWI’s postgraduate program POLMAR or another graduate school and thus benefit from a comprehensive training program and extensive support measures.
The AWI is characterized by
- our scientific success – excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation – intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
- flexible working hours
- health promotion and company fitness
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. Our Family Office will be happy to support you – even before you start at AWI.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application, including (1) a letter of motivation, (2) a CV and copies of relevant certificates (master’s degree; training), (3) two letters of recommendation or the contact information of two references, by 30th August 2024.
Electronic applications only.
Interviews will take place probably between 23th September and 18th October 2024.
Reference number: 24/115/G/INSPIRES-b
For further information about this opportunity click here.