PhD position in Microbial methane consumption in contrasting ocean environments

Project Title
Microbial methane consumption in contrasting ocean environments: effects of elevated seepage and
geochemical boundary conditions

Job Description 
A 3-year PhD position within the framework of a joint Swiss-German research project on microbial methane consumption in the ocean. The candidate will be based at the University of Basel, Switzerland (Department of Environmental Sciences, Stable Isotope Geochemistry and Aquatic Biogeochemistry Group), but extended sojourns at the Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) are planned. The focus of the position will be to assess microbial methane oxidation in ocean sediments and the water column in relation to (changing) biogeochemical boundary conditions. The research will involve field sampling onboard international, seagoing research vessels as well as laboratory work in Basel and Kiel. The candidate will be exposed to (and trained in) a wide range of analytical methods including lipid biomarker-, radio-tracer- and stable isotope assays as well as microbiological techniques for determining pathways and rates of methane oxidation, and the microbial communities involved. Students with a background in Environmental- /Geo-Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Biology or Analytical Chemistry, and with interests in a highly multidisciplinary work environment are encouraged to apply.

Academic requirement 
Masters/Diploma degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject for the project.

Application 
Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for two references via e-mail to Dr. H. Niemann, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland (helge.niemann@unibas.ch).

Application Deadline: 20th February 2012
Interview Date: beginning of March 2012
Start Date: April 2012

Contact 
Dr. Helge Niemann
Dept. Environmental Sciences, University of Basel
Bernoullistrasse 30, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
phone: ++41-61-2673615
e-mail: helge.niemann@unibas.ch
http://pages.unibas.ch/environment/index_e.html

Prof. Dr. Tina Treude
Department of Marine Biogeochemistry
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)
Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148 Kiel, Germany
phone: ++49-4316002837
e-mai: ttreude@geomar.de
www.ifm-geomar.de/~ttreude

Post-Doc Position at the University of Uppsala, Sweden

The primary objective of the work is to develop and validate remote sensing based method for estimating surface water pCO2 and CO2 exchange between water and atmosphere using other satellite products.

The position involves downloading and work with various satellite products, developing methods for in-situ observation in the Baltic Sea region and developing satellite algorithms. The applicant should have experience in using remote sensing data and knowledge in air-sea interaction processes. This is primarily a research position. Teaching will be included to a maximum of 10% of full time.

 

Eligibility: To be eligible for a position as Post-doc, the applicant must hold a PhD or equivalent. The applicants PhD degree must have been obtained no more than three years prior to the application date. The PhD can be older than three years if there are special circumstances. Such special circumstances can be periods of sick leave, parental leave etc, which are deducted from the three-year period. The requirement for this position is a PhD in meteorology/oceanography or corresponding competence.

 

Ranking criteria: In ranking eligible candidates, special importance will be given to scientific skills in relation to the subject area specified. Special weight will be given to earlier experiences in analysing remote sensing data and of working with air-sea interaction processes. In filling this position the university aims to recruit the person who, in the combined evaluation of competence, skills and documented qualifications, is judged most suitable to carry out and develop the work-in-hand and to contribute to a positive development of the department.

 

How to apply: The application should be written in English and should include a short description of the applicant and his/her research interests. It should also include a CV, copies of relevant examination certificates, a copy of the PhD Thesis and publications as well as other relevant documents (e.g. letters of recommendation or names of reference persons).
Uppsala University is striving to achieve a more even gender balance and women are especially encouraged to apply. For more details please visit:

http://www2.personalavd.uu.se/ledigaplatser/486postdokeng.html

USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

A postdoctoral research fellowship is available to examine controls on biological productivity in the Northern Gulf of Alaska using in-situ, time-series observations, available through the USGS Mendenhall postdoctoral fellowship program.  This is a region influenced by ongoing glacial retreat, where there have been comparatively few oceanographic observations.

The fellow would be housed at either the USGS in Woods Hole, MA or at the University of Washington School of Oceanography in Seattle, WA.  A research proposal is required in advance of the February 21 deadline.  More details are available at http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/2013/opps/opp1.html. For more information, please contact John Crusius -- tel:             (206) 543-6978      ; email: jcrusius{at}usgs.gov

JAMSTEC Positions

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology(JAMSTEC) is now seeking candidates for three Institutes, Research Institute for Global Change, Institute of Biogeosciences, and Institute for Research on Earth Evolution. Most of these positions are Scientists/Technical Scientists/Engineers/Postdoctoral Researchers. More details and instructions for applicants can be found at: http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/about/recruit/index.html. Closing date for Institute of Biogeosciences is 15th November 2011, for Research Institute for Global Change and Institute for Research on Earth Evolution are 25th November 2011.

 

Postdoctoral Position in Biological Oceanography/Marine Microbiology at Princeton University

The Department of Geosciences, Princeton University, is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the biological oceanography/marine microbiology group. The position will be based at Princeton University and is available immediately. The initial appointment is available for one year, with a possibility of renewal for an additional year contingent upon satisfactory performance. Applications are invited for research in the area of biological oceanography, focusing on elucidating the linkages among phytoplankton community composition, environmental factors and global change. The research spans two interdisciplinary NOAA/NSF-funded projects that integrate molecular biological investigation of phytoplankton assemblages (Bess Ward, Princeton University) with biogeochemical modeling (John Dunne, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory). The focus of the postdoctoral research will be on the phytoplankton assemblage aspects, using high density DNA microarrays and metatranscriptomics to investigate the relative abundance and gene expression of eukaryotic phytoplankton. We are looking for a person who is interested in working in an interdisciplinary setting and willing to acquire new skills outside their main area of expertise. A PhD in biology, microbiology, oceanography, or a related field is required.  Experience with molecular biological methods for the characterization of microbial communities and the associated bioinformatic and statistical analyses is required. Experience or interest in collaborating in the application of biogeochemical modeling is preferred.  Applicants should submit a most current cv, a brief statement of research interests (no more than 2 pages), publication list, and names and contact information for three references by applying on the Princeton University jobsite at https://jobs.princeton.edu/. Requisition #0110619.

MESOAQUA Transnational Access to Mesocosm Facilities

A call has been issued for MESOAQUA Transnational Access which offers researchers and trainees access to a range of mesocosm facilities in contrasting environments located in different pelagic aquatic environments throughout Europe. This last call is now open to apply for TA activities from January to July 2012. The application deadline is 30 SEPTEMBER 2011.Further information on the mesocosm facilities and the web-based application process are available at: http://mesoaqua.eu

Postdoctoral Position: Microbial Biogeochemistry: Sulfur and Nitrogen Cycling in Vegetated Saltmarsh Sediment

Applications are invited for a 3-year postdoctoral position in the area of microbial biogeochemistry, focusing on elucidating the linkages among the sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon cycles in vegetated salt marsh sediments at Plum Island Estuary (PIE-LTER). This multidisciplinary NSF-funded project integrates biogeochemical process measures with molecular analyses and it represents a collaborative effort between scientists at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (Stefan Sievert) and the Ecosystems Center at the Marine Biological Laboratory (Zoe Cardon, Anne Giblin).



Candidates should initiate the process by applying online and by submitting one PDF document containing resume, statement of research interests, publication list, and names and contact information for three references; please visit http://jobs.whoi.edu (job reference 11-07-07).  A PhD in biology, microbiology, or a related field is required at the time of appointment.