In the framework of the POSER project (POpulation Shift and Ecosystem Response – Krill vs. Salps), funded by the MWK (Federal Ministry of Research and Culture of Lower Saxony), the working group Ecotrace embedded in the Marine Botany Department at the University Bremen offers the position of a

PhD Researcher in Antarctic Plankton Ecology

for the duration of 3 years starting from January 1st, 2018.

Salary is according to the German Federal pay scale (TV-L 13).

Job Description:

The research project POSER aims to understand population shifts in krill versus salps due to anthropogenic warming in the western Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, and the consequences of such shifts on plankton community structure, biodiversity and biogeochemical cycles. Employing field sampling, experimental work and modelling the overall goals of POSER are as follows: 1) investigating the role of krill and salps in controlling productivity (through the (re)cycling of macronutrients), export (carbon flux) and microbial food web composition and 2) investigating the role of krill and salps in controlling iron (Fe) biogeochemistry in Fe limited oceanic waters. The focus of the here offered PhD project will be related to subproject 2), in which the impact of grazing on iron chemistry and bioavailability and their effects on Antarctic phytoplankton community structure and productivity will be elucidated. It is planned to conduct incubation experiments with salps and krill and their grazing products during a field campaign to the Western Antarctic Peninsula to quantify iron biological recycling.The interdisciplinary approach of POSER will allow predicting the causal effect of climate induced environmental changes on a) the population dynamics of key players in the pelagic system (krill, salps) and b) the consequences of an abundance shift of these organisms on the lower tropic food web, stoichiometry, and carbon flux.

Qualifications:

The successful candidate should hold a Master’s degree (or comparable) in biology, marine biology, marine chemistry or environmental sciences. Ideally the candidate is experienced in:

- trace metal clean working techniques
- culturing marine plankton (zoo- and/or phytoplankton) – trace metal chemistry

The candidate should be highly motivated and able to work in a small, closely cooperating team and participate in a field expedition to the Antarctic onboard of R.V. Polarstern. The international nature of the project requires fluency in spoken and written English and good presentation and publication skills. In addition, the successful candidate should have good team spirit because a close cooperation with all working groups is required. The successful candidate will be embedded in the working group Ecotrace, headed by Prof. Dr. Scarlett Trimborn.

Conditions of employment:

The position is limited to 3 years and will start in January 2018. As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. In case of equal personal aptitudes and qualification, disabled persons will be given priority. Applicants with a migration background are welcome.

How to Apply & What to Do in Case of Questions:

Applications should comprise a motivation letter, complete CV including any achievements, degree certificates (including list of courses and grades), names and contact details of at least two referees, and a list of your publications. Please send your application with reference-no. A230/17 as a single pdf-file not exceeding 10 MByte via e-mail to: Prof. Dr. Scarlett Trimborn, scarlett.trimborn@uni-bremen.de

Application deadline: October 13th 2017.
If you have any questions about the position, please do not hesitate to address them to the above email address.