PhD student in Freshwater Plant Stress Ecology (m/f/x)

Within the Department of Community and Ecosystem Research of the IGB in Berlin we invite applications for a PhD student position (full time, 3 years with a potential prolongation of 1 year) in Freshwater Plant Stress Ecology starting on 01.09.2024.

We are looking for a highly motivated candidate to study the tolerance of the freshwater model plant Stuckenia pectinata to warming and anoxia including the role of its endophytes and microbiome. This work is embedded in the DFG Research Unit “Physiological and Evolutionary Adaptation of Plants to Co-occurring Abiotic and Biotic Challenges” at Kiel University (speaker Prof. Eva Stukenbrock). The Research Unit aims to gain a better understanding of how plants respond to different combinations of stressors. Most of the subprojects deal with different terrestrial plants, while our subproject will focus on the adaptation of freshwater and marine plants to warming and hypoxia. Field studies and laboratory experiments will be conducted to elucidate the potential role of endophytes and the abundance of associated microbes across a gradient of anoxia and warming. Combinations of warming and hypoxia will be tested for their effects on growth and physiology of S. pectinata. Through two central projects of this research unit, additional support in high-throughput microbiome analysis as well as in transcriptomics and metabolomic analysis along with systems biological approaches is provided. The effects of pathogens on the composition of the plant microbiome of S. pectinata and on its tolerance to stressors will be assessed using pathogen-simulating elicitors. The successful candidate will closely cooperate with another doctoral candidate in the group of Prof. Thorsten Reusch at GEOMAR Kiel and joint experiments with freshwater and marine plants will be conducted at GEOMAR in Kiel.

Your tasks

• Conduct laboratory and field experiments on the response of S. pectinata to warming and hypoxia in Berlin
• Measure S. pectinata biomass, photosynthesis and different physiological parameters
• Conduct joint experiments and measurements with freshwater and marine plants at GEOMAR in Kiel
• Present research results at national and international workshops and conferences
• Write and submit three manuscripts to scientific journals
• Attend courses, summer schools and project meetings of the Research Unit and IGB doctoral program
• Supervise MSc and/or BSc student(s)

Your profile

Mandatory:

• A university degree (Master or equivalent) in biology or related subjects (top 10%)
• Strong interest in fundamental plant ecology/physiology
• Proficiency in English
• Experience in scientific writing and presentations
• Experience in plant stress ecology
• Experience with statistics, R
• Interest in team work
• Willingness to work in Kiel during joint experiments

Desirable:

• Knowledge in aquatic ecology, microbiology, molecular biology
• Experience with metabolomics or transcriptomics

Our offer

We offer an interesting position in an international and dynamic scientific environment. The position is intended for full-time doctoral research and is paid according to the German salary scheme for the public sector (TVöD Bund at 65 % E13). It is a fixed-term position for 3 years with a possible 1-year extension.

We foster your career development by providing qualification and training opportunities. We actively support the reconciliation of work and family life . The IGB is committed to diversity . We welcome every qualified application, regardless of sex and gender, origin, nationality, religion, belief, health and disabilities, age or sexual orientation. Disabled applicants with equal qualification and aptitude will be given preferential consideration.

Are you interested?

We look forward to receiving your application by 15.06.2024 with a cover letter describing your motivation, a recommendation letter (of the MSc supervisor), CV, copies of certificates and grades (all in one pdf). Please state the job reference number 17/2024 and apply exclusively via our recruitment platform at www.igb-berlin.de/en/jobs .

Questions can be directed to PD Dr. Sabine Hilt by phone (+49 30 641817677) or by e-mail (sabine.hilt(at)igb-berlin.de ).

"Research for the future of our freshwaters" is the mission of IGB – Germany’s largest and one of the leading international centres for freshwater research. In order to investigate different aspects of freshwater ecosystems, their biota and societal relevance, we unit a wide range of disciplines and understand research as a joint effort. With more than 350 employees and guests from all over the world, we conduct research at five locations in Berlin and at Lake Stechlin (Brandenburg). IGB is part of the German Leibniz Association and the Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V. www.igb-berlin.de