PhD position on marine nanoparticles and biogeochemical nanotechnology

In the frame of Horizon-Europe funded ERC Consolidator Grant project DeepTrace, we are looking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our ERC research team at METU IMS.

ERC CoG DeepTrace (late 2022-2027) will advance a ground-breaking mechanistic, analytical and predictive understanding of how the life-supporting metals cycle across Earth's deep-sea ecosystems such as the Black Sea and hydrothermal vents, developing the application of metal nanoparticles as tracers of planetary redox habitability and bridging the study of Earth's Oceans with the Ocean Worlds of the Solar system.

DeepTrace will tap the potential of tracing redox metals as one of best opportunities in the next decade for detecting life in Ocean Worlds, and accelerate improved parametrizations of metal cycles for better prediction of Earth’s marine ecosystems under multi-stressors such as deoxygenation, warming and biodiversity loss.

The PhD fellow will be mainly involved in the analytical method development for the isolation and detection of saltwater nanoparticles with implications for in situ detection of NPs in Ocean Worlds plume ejecta.

Candidates from not from marine science background but from all relevant engineering fields, geology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics are encouraged to apply to these positions. Motivation and capacity to take on a multidisciplinary challenge is the most important quality. Previous experience as nanotechnologist, analytical geochemist or environmental chemist focusing on nanoparticles is a big plus.

You will be embedded in a highly diverse and multidisciplinary ERC research group led by Dr Mustafa Yücel (www.deepsearedox.com ) and will be interacting with a range of researchers based at METU IMS as well as abroad. The position involves ERC-funded field trips and research cruises, support for travels to major conferences of oceanography, planetary geosciences and astrobiology.

METU-IMS is the leading international marine science institute in Turkey with a 100% English education and research. All METU-IMS faculty engage in teaching, research and service. The Institute carries out research on the Eastern Mediterranean as well as on the Aegean, Black Seas, and Turkish Straits System and global oceans.