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 April 2017. It is funded by the ERC Advanced Grant NOVAMOX which aims at exploring novel niches of anaerobic methane oxidation and their biogeochemical significance. The PhD project is 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.
Application deadline: 13 March
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on
http://www.sdu.dk/