Postdoctoral position in Limnology

Published: 2022-09-26

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A position as a postdoctoral researcher in ”Biogeochemistry of carbon - structure and decomposition of organic colloids” is available at the Department of Ecology and Genetics, Limnology research program.

The Department of Ecology and Genetics is an international environment with staff and students from all over the world. Our research spans from evolutionary ecology and genetics to studies of ecosystems. For more information, see www.ieg.uu.se.

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Project description
This is a cross disciplinary project involving biogeochemistry and physical chemistry. Dissolved and colloidal organic matter (DOM) is the largest pool of organic matter in the water column of oceans and inland waters, and in soils and sediments it is also the major interface between dead organic matter and the microbes that mineralize it. The factors that limit the persistence of DOM currently receives large scientific interest, as they are important regulators of the global carbon cycle. Constraints on microbial degradation of DOM may include several factors, including the ability of microbes and their extracellular enzymes to reach the relevant sites in the OM, depending on steric hindrance. One cause of steric hindrance may be the aggregation of molecules, whereby enzyme sites are embedded inside organic colloids or particles. This project investigates how the ability of microbes to degrade the DOM depends on to what extent molecules are aggregated. The project is hosted by the biogeochemistry research group in the limnology research program at Uppsala university (https://www.ieg.uu.se/limnology/research/biogeochemistry/ ) in collaboration with the microbial ecology group at Lund University (https://portal.research.lu.se/en/organisations/microbial-ecology ). Scattering experiments will be performed in collaboration with Prof. Ulf Olsson, Lund University. The project (https://kaw.wallenberg.org/en/research/unexplored-dimension-nature-gives-new-climate-insights ) is a collaboration between aquatic biogeochemists, microbial ecologists, and physical and environmental chemists at both universities.

Duties
Experimental studies of the relationship between aggregation within the DOM, and microbial degradation. Important aspects of the work will be to analyze the size spectrum of DOM by e.g. light scattering and small angle X-ray scattering, and to run experiments where transformation and mineralization of DOM will be analyzed as a function of DOM colloidal size structure. We expect to perform experiments also at the Swedish national synchrotron laboratory MAX IV in Lund. The work will include development of methods to manipulate the colloidal size spectrum of DOM. Ideas how to develop the project are welcome, depending on the interests and skills of the postdoc. The position is at Uppsala University, but a significant part of the work will be performed at Lund University.

Qualifications required
To qualify for an employment as a postdoctor you must have a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in a field relevant for either biogeochemistry or X ray scattering, or ideally both. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

We attach great importance to personal qualities such as collaborative skills, self-driven, and independent characteristics, as well as good analytical skills. Candidates must be able to express themselves very good in spoken as well as written English.

Qualifications desired
Advanced knowledge and/or experience in the following will be beneficial: practical and/or theoretical skills in biogeochemistry and/or scattering methods; conducting, interpreting and publishing biogeochemical studies; experimental work on natural samples such as soil and water.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: As soon as possible, as agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position for 24 months, with a possibility to an extension up to a maximum of 36 months, according to central collective agreement.

Scope of employment: 100%.

For further information about the position please contact: Professor Lars Tranvik, [email protected], +46 18 471 2722.

Application: The application should include 1) a letter of intent describing yourself, your research interests and motivation of why you want to work as a postdoctoral researcher/fellow and why you are suitable for the position, 2) a CV 3) a short description of your education, 4) a copy of your PhD degree, your grades and a copy of your thesis, 5) name and contact information to at least two reference persons (e-mail address and phone no.), 6) relevant publications. The application should be written in English.

Please submit your application by 26 October 2022, UFV-PA 2022/2544.

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Placement: Department of Ecology and Genetics

Type of employment: Full time , Temporary position longer than 6 months

Pay: Fixed salary

Number of positions: 1

Working hours: 100

Town: Uppsala

County: Uppsala län

Country: Sweden

Union representative: Seko Universitetsklubben [email protected]
ST/TCO [email protected]
Saco-rådet [email protected]

Number of reference: UFV-PA 2022/2544

Last application date: 2022-10-26

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