Student Opportunity Announcements
PhD student "Tracing chemoautotrophic microbes in present and past sedimentary environments
The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) is the leading research institute in the Netherlands for the basic marine sciences. Five departments (Physical Oceanography, Marine Geology, Marine Organic Biogeochemistry, Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology) carry out the multidisciplinary research of the institute. Approximately 250 persons are currently appointed at the NIOZ. NIOZ has a large variety of instrumentation and is operating modernly equipped research vessels for coastal and ocean studies. The institute is associated with the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO); it is located on the Wadden Island of Texel, close to the mainland. For further information see the NIOZ homepage at http://www.nioz.nl.
The department of Marine Organic Biogeochemistry (department chair: Prof. Dr. Jaap Sinninghe Damsté), which performs research on microbial processes in the marine environment, palaeoceanography and the evolution of marine organisms, has a vacancy for a:
PhD student
Vacancy number 2010-052
“Tracing chemoautotrophic microbes in present and past sedimentary environments”
In this project, funded by the Darwin Centre of Biogeosciences, we will apply a combined approach based on the analysis of signature lipid biomarkers and functional gene analysis to study the diversity and activity of chemoautotrophic microorganisms in marine sediments. We will identify the carbon fixation pathways used by chemolithoautotrophs by quantifying the isotopic fractionation patterns of lipids and biomass in pure cultures and sediment incubations by stable carbon isotope analyses and by targeting genes of carbon fixation and re-oxidation pathways. The results from pure culture and sediment incubation studies will be used to examine the occurrence and role of chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms in ancient sediments by focusing on specific biomarker lipid molecules preserved in the geological record.
Requirements:
We are looking for an enthusiastic and creative person with a degree in (micro) biology, molecular microbial ecology, or environmental science. Experience with molecular biological techniques and fluency in English are prerequisites. We expect that the candidates will successfully complete a PhD thesis.
We offer a full-time PhD position for 4 years, a pension scheme, a yearly 8% vacation allowance, year-end bonus and flexible employment conditions. Conditions are based on the Collective Employment Agreement of the Research Institutes.
Further information on the project and the position can be obtained from Dr. Laura Villanueva (tel. 0222-369428, e-mail: laura.villanueva@nioz.nl), or Prof. Stefan Schouten (tel. 0222-369565, e-mail: stefan.schouten@nioz.nl) and otherwise from Jolanda Evers, Human Resources (Email: Jolanda.evers@nioz.nl, phone +31-222-369371). General information about NIOZ can be found at: http://www.nioz.nl.
Application:
Applicants should sent a cover letter with motivation for this project, CV, a statement of research interest and the name and email address of two referees, to the Human Resources Department (Ms. Jolanda Evers, Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands or preferably by e-mail to: jobs@nioz.nl.
Please quote the vacancy number in your application
Closing Date: September 1st 2010 or until a qualified candidate is identified.