PhD student (m/f/d) in Oceanography: Small-scale dynamics of convection at the sea surface

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Germany,
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: 18 Aug 2022

At the Institute of Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM, Wilhelmshaven) of the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, the following position is available from 01.10.2022 for a period of 42 months

PhD student (m/f/d)

Dynamics of convection linking the sea-surface microlayer (SML) with the bulk phase

(E 13 TV-L, 65 %)

ICBM is an internationally renowned research institute for fundamental and applied marine sciences. The Institute has more than 20 research groups to strive to better understand the function of marine environmental systems through interdisciplinary studies (chemistry, biology, physics, mathematical modelling).

The position is part of the BASS research group funded by the German Research Foundation. The overall goal is to investigate the importance of sea-surface microlayer (SML) as a biogeo- and photochemical reactor and how its reactivity affects ocean-atmosphere interactions. BASS will provide new insights into the accumulation of organic material in the SML and how well-adapted microbes and (photo)chemistry transform organic material. BASS will investigate the extent to which photochemical production of trace gases and the presence of natural surfactants in the SML influence ocean-atmosphere exchange processes. BASS will also investigate the coupling between the SML and bulk water, as this coupling determines the distribution of the unique products of biogeo- and photochemical processes in the SML to the upper ocean. Eight subprojects will collaborate in joint field campaigns in the open North Sea, a joint mesocosm study at the Sea-Surface Facility at ICBM, and a joint experiment at the University of Hamburg Wind Wave tank. BASS will combine interdisciplinary expertise, advanced technologies for millimeter-scale observations, core infrastructures for controlled experiments, and state-of-the-art analytical facilities at the molecular and cellular levels.

The existence of marine surface films is a global phenomenon, but exchange processes with underlying near-surface water layer has received little attention in science. The goal is to investigate the dynamics between marine surface films and the underlying near-surface water layer via convection as exchange process and to what extent this process leads to heterogeneous properties of marine surface films. This in turn controls the extent of biogeo- and photochemical reactions and gas exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere. Dynamics of millimeter-scale convection will be spatially and temporally resolved in laboratory experiments and mesocosm studies using a microprofiler under different simulated environmental conditions. In further work, convections in the North Sea will be studied using remotely operated and autonomous research catamarans under real environmental conditions.

Your tasks:

    • Determination of physical and chemical properties for spatial and temporal resolution of exchange processes between marine surface films and near-surface water.
    • Use and maintenance of oceanographic sensors and sampling equipment.
    • Data analysis and statistics of collected data.
    • Writing of publications.

Required prerequisites:

    • Qualifying academic university degree (master or diploma (not of a University of Applied Sciences)in the fields of: Oceanography, Physics, Environmental Science, Engineering or a related field of study.
    • Experience with experimental studies of environmentally relevant chemical or physical processes.
    • Willingness and aptitude to participate in expeditions on research vessels lasting a few weeks.
    • Extensive knowledge of data analysis and visualization, preferably experience with Matlab or similar data analysis software solution.
    • Social and intercultural competence, ability to work in a team.
    • good language skills in English.

You ideally bring with you:

  • Experience with the study of hydrodynamic processes.
  • Expertise in physical oceanography and experience with physical measurement techniques, particularly microelectrodes.

and/or

  • Expertise in optical measurement systems and their applications.

We offer:

    • Possibility to do a doctorate
    • Collaboration in an interdisciplinary, international and committed research team
    • Scientific support and further education, e.g. in the graduate school OLTECH.
    • Support of work-life balance
    • Modern workplaces and laboratories in the Center for Marine Sensors at ICBM.

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg aims to increase the proportion of women in science. Therefore, women are strongly encouraged to apply. According to §21 para. 3 NHG, female applicants shall be given preferential consideration in case of equivalent qualification.

Severely disabled persons will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.

If you have any questions regarding this job offer, please contact Prof. Dr. Oliver Wurl ([email protected] ). Please send your application with cover letter, CV, copies of certificates and references in a single document as pdf-file (total size max. 10 MB) preferably by e-mail to Prof. Dr. Oliver Wurl ([email protected] ) with the subject "BASS" by 31.08.2022.



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