PhD: Molecular Microbial Ecology, HGF 1266 views

PhD fellowship Molecular Microbial Ecology, HGF: Ph.D. student position in molecular microbial ecology at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF).

Code: 119/D/Bio

Faculty: Science

The work is funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

Research area: Molecular Microbial Ecology

Project: Microplastic contamination of the model system Weser – Wadden Sea National Park: An across-ecosystem approach”,

Starting Date: September 2017.

Background:

The qualitative and quantitative composition of biofilms on microplastics (MP) surfaces is widely unknown. Previous studies suggest that floating MP particles can function as vectors for the dispersal of microorganisms or even genes to new habitats. This is especially problematic as these studies report the presence of toxic and pathogenic alien species which potentially pose a risk of invasion when arriving in new habitats with favourable conditions.

With the proposed PhD project aim to address the following objectives:

1) Habitat for pathogenic microorganisms,

2) Presence of antibiotic resistance genes.

Benefits:

The position is limited to three years and advertised subject to availability of funding. The salary will be paid in accordance with the German Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes (TVöD Bund), salary level 13 (66%).

Qualifications / Requirements:

1. Enthusiastic, outstanding young researchers, who enjoy working in a team
2. Have good communication skills.
3. Hold a Diploma/Master or equivalent degree preferably in biology or a related field.
4. Experiences in microbiology or molecular biology.

Application Procedure:

Please contact Dr. Gunnar Gerdts (gunnar.gerdts@awi.de) or Dr. Antje Wichels (antje.wichels@awi.de) for further information

Please forward your complete applications with the standard documentation (CV, degree certificates, a statement of research interests copies of certificates, publications and two references) by August 10^t , 2017 withreferencing code 119/D/Bio to: Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und  eeresforschung, Personalabteilung (human resources), Postfach 12 01 61, 27515 Bremerhaven/Germany or by e-mail (all documents merged into one PDF file) to: personal@awi.de.