Phytoplankton primary production is fueled by spatially close interactions between microalgae and bacteria. Yet, the drivers of specific interactions and associations between bacteria and phytoplankton are poorly understood. Using the Antarctic diatom Fragilariopsis, you will test if the diatom recognizes bacteria and evokes inducible downstream strategies to harbor beneficial or fend off detrimental bacteria, respectively. You will use established co-culture systems of the diatom and bacterial isolates and methodically combine biochemistry, analytical chemistry, microbiology and molecular biology to identify mechanisms involved in establishing and maintaining the diatom holobiont. This project suits a candidate with demonstrated experience in environmental microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry or related fields who is highly motivated to undertake interdisciplinary research on symbiotic model systems.
Tasks
You will
- Axenify the diatom and generate bacterial cultures from its microbiome as well as Antarctic bacterioplankton.
- In co-incubation experiments with axenic/xenic diatoms you will characterize intra- and extra-cellular responses of Fragilariopsis to bacteria and their molecular elicitors using diagnostic biochemical tools and instrumental analytical chemistry.
- The short-term goal is to corroborate an active immune-like response of Fragilariopsis to bacteria. The long-term goal is to challenge the recognition process by adjusting future SO climate regimes.
Requirements
- relevant Master’s degree or Diploma and collective experience in experimental ecology, microbiology, molecular biology or biochemistry together with a good understanding of analytical chemistry
- Â highly committed personality interested in joining an interdisciplinary research team focusing on Marine Chemical Ecology
- Students who are in the process of writing their MSc thesis and do not yet have a certificate are also invited to apply
- Prior to employment, the MSc certificate has to be issued.
You are interested?
We look forward to receiving your application with the following documents: Curriculum vitae, motivation letter, copies of BSc and MSc university certificates incl. transcript of records. Your motivation letter should include a short abstract of the research field and specifically address why this topic and its methodical approach is of interest to you.
Please do not hesitate to contact Prof. Tilmann Harder to gather more information about this position or the application process.
Applications should be sent with the reference number A176/21 until 20.08.2021 to:
Prof. Tilmann Harder
University of Bremen, Dept. Biology and Chemistry
Marine Chemistry Group
28359 Bremen
t.harder@uni-bremen.de
