Microbiological stabilization of the Earth‘s surface across a climate gradient

To investigate which microorganisms act as structure engineers and how they control land surface resistance, the microbial community composition and processes in relation to surface resistance and climate under natural conditions and soil structure formation experiments with and without microorganisms under laboratory conditions will be conducted.

You will perform field work in Chile and conduct innovative molecular ecological analysis in combination with integrated stable isotope techniques and high resolution imaging methods to identify and understand microbial-mediated key processes of land surface stabilization. PI: Prof. Dirk Wagner (GFZ section 4.5), co-PIs: Dr. Peter Kühn and Prof. Thomas Scholten (University of Tübingen); Dr. Carsten Müller (TUM).

Weitere Informationen

Unternehmen

Helmholtz Gemeinschaft

Bereich/Abteilung

Helmholtz Centre Potsdam GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences

Abschlussart

Dissertation

Ansprechpartner/in

If you have any questions regarding this job offer, please feel free to call Ms Kirsch at +49 (0) 331-288-28878.

Branche

Forschung und Entwicklung

Anforderungen

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology/Biology or related sciences with a focus in molecular ecology
• experience in microbiological techniques, particularly DNA/RNA-based analyses (e.g. qPCR, NGS, SIP) and NanoSIMS for the characterization of microbial communities in soil ecosystems
• interested in bio-geo-interactions, field work, research in an interdisciplinary environment and be independent in developing of experimental approaches.
• Furthermore fluency in English (additionally Spanish could be an advantage), excellent team working and communication skills are expected.

Zusatzinformationen

Starting date Friday, 01. January 2016
Fixed term 1+2 years
Salary EG 13 TVÖD-Bund (Ost)
Working hours part-time (75%, currently 29,25 h/week)
Location Potsdam

Vacancy No. 72/45/15 D

The EarthShape project (www.earthshape.net) will explore how biologic processes form soil, influence topography, and thereby shape the Earth surface. You will work in a consortium of 13 interdisciplinary projects comprising 17 new PhD students encompassing the fields Geology, Ecology, Soil Sciences, Geography, Microbiology, Geophysics, and Geochemistry. EarthShape research will be conducted at four study sites within in the Chilean Coastal Range that features one of Earth’s most spectacular vegetation gradients and is controlled by climate ranging from hyper-arid to humid temperate. It is a natural laboratory to study how biology and topography interact. You will be trained in interdisciplinary methods and conduct joint field work and events.

You can expect a very diverse and challenging job in an international work environment that is characterized by exciting research projects. The compatibility of work and family life is of particular concern to the GFZ. Therefore, it offers the opportunity for flexible working time and workplaces. Moreover, there is a kindergarten located on the research campus.

The GFZ is a partner with Geo.X (www.geo-x.net), and as such it is well connected with other geoscience institutions in Potsdam und Berlin. Geo.X forms the largest regional cluster of geoscientific expertise in Europe and offers excellent opportunities for cooperation and development.

Please submit your applicatio by 15 October 2015 quoting the reference no.s given above via email to applications@gfz-potsdam.de. Please combine your application documents into a single PDF file with a size of up to 3 megabytes. Please include the EarthShape application form www.earthshape.net (see “positions”), a CV, university and secondary school certificates and the names of 2-3 potential referees.

Equal opportunity is an inherent part of our personnel policy. Therefore we are particularly welcoming applications from qualified women. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential treatment in the case of equal qualification.

We will retain your application documents for at least three months, even if the application is not successful. They will not be returned.