Ph.D. position (m/f/d)

The Department of Biological Oceanography at the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) invites applications for a

Ph.D. position (m/f/d)

with a research focus on microbial oceanography and biogeochemistry.

The fixed-term position will start at the earliest date possible and continue for three years. Remuneration is paid according to the public sector employment (TV-L EG 13; 65%).

The IOW is an independent research institute within the Leibniz Association, engaged in system analysis of coastal and marginal seas, with a special focus on the Baltic Sea. The scientists at the four departments (Biological Oceanography, Marine Chemistry, Marine Geology, Physical Oceanography, and Instrumentation) cooperate within the framework of a joint research program.

Project and job description

Marine microbial communities consist of diverse living entities that interact with each other in multifarious ways, thereby regulating global biogeochemical cycles.

We offer a Ph.D. position to research microbial interactions between phytoplankton, fungi, and bacteria in the water column. We will particularly focus on parasitic infections on phytoplankton, and their effects on primary production and the biological carbon pump. The methodology will span from single-cell to mesoscale flux measurements using biogeochemical, microbiological, and molecular tools. These tools include, e.g., stable-isotope incubations, mass spectrometry (e.g., GC-/EA-IRMS and nanoSIMS), microscopy, marker-gene sequencing, fluorescence-in-situ-hybridization, and nutrient analyses, which will be applied on laboratory-grown cocultures and field-sampled plankton communities.

The candidate will be responsible for growing the relevant isolates in culture as well as for conducting field-going sampling (including sea-going expeditions), incubation experiments, sample analyses, computational data analyses, and finally drafting the study outcome for submission to peer-reviewed journals.

The position will be associated with a Junior Research Group, which is funded by the German Research Foundation (Emmy Noether Programme), and which focuses on microbe-driven element cycling in aquatic environments. The research project will involve collaborations with both German and international scientists.

Qualification requirements

We are seeking a candidate with an excellent university degree (Master/Diploma) in Biological Oceanography, Earth System Science, Aquatic Microbiology, Geomicrobiology, or related fields. The ability for working in the field and willingness to participate in sea-going research expeditions are a prerequisite. We further welcome experience with the relevant methodologies and any knowledge on aquatic element cycling and microplankton communities. The ideal candidate demonstrates good communication skills in English, a high degree in self-dependent working, and importantly, a growth mindset as well as great interpersonal and team-minded skills. A broad interest in interdisciplinary science is greatly appreciated, as the project will combine biological, chemical, and physical parameters. In conclusion, we are looking for an applicant who is highly talented in experimental work, sample and data analyses, and scientific writing to be able to achieve a Ph.D. degree within three years.

Please include the following information and documents (in English) with your application

• Contact details
• Cover letter, explaining your work experiences, career motivation, interests, and fit to our research group (1 page). Also, include the answer to the below-mentioned riddle in the cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae, including the contact details of 2 reference persons (2 pages)
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that the applicant meets the entry requirements into the Ph.D. program
• One scientific text in English written by the candidate (e.g., Master thesis, a paper currently in draft, or a publication in a peer-reviewed journal)

Riddle: Train A leaves from Berlin heading towards Barcelona at 100 km/h. Three hours later, train B leaves Barcelona heading towards Berlin at 200 km/h. Assume there's exactly 2000 km between Berlin and Barcelona. When the trains meet, which train is closer to Berlin? At what distance to Berlin do both trains meet?

Applications can be submitted until Febr 9, 2022, quoting the code Bio 01-2022 to Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Dept. Human Resources, Seestraße 15, 18119 Rostock, Germany

Email: bewerbung.biologie(at)io-warnemuende.de (as a merged pdf)

The interviews are planned for Febr 2022.

Applications of disabled persons with the same professional and personal qualifications will be treated preferentially. Please indicate a handicap in the cover letter and enclose the relevant certificate.

The job advertisement is aiming at all persons regardless of their gender (*gender-neutral). The IOW promotes equal opportunities and holds the Total E-Quality award. An overview of our measures for equal opportunities and to improve the compatibility of work and family can be found at https://www.io-warnemuende.de/equal-opportunity.html . Applications of female candidates are explicitly encouraged.

The Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research offers a diverse working environment next to the Baltic Sea. Interdisciplinary research topics on brackish and marine ecosystems, broad in-house expertise in physical, chemical, and biological oceanography, and marine geology, state-of-the-art laboratory equipment, and infrastructure together with modern facilities provide an excellent framework for the planned research.

For further information, please email Isabell Klawonn , Ph.D., or visit our website www.io-warnemuende.de , and the website of the responsible laboratory .

This announcement is available also online https://www.io-warnemuende.de/job-advertisements-and-scholarships.html

We look forward to receiving your application.