PhD Student in Limnology, Molecular Microbial Ecology Limnology,Uppsala University, Sweden

August 16, 2010

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PhD student in Limnology, Molecular Microbial Ecology Limnology, Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, Sweden, in collaboration with the Department of Environmental Microbiology (UFZ, Leipzig, Germany).

Groundwater is one of our most important drinking water resource, yet it is threatened by pollution and overexploitation. Groundwater also sustains and interlinks a great number of biologically diverse ecosystems, such as soils, rivers, and wetlands. Such transition zones are areas of high microbial activity and diversity and occur between saturated and vadose parts in soils, at the boundary of aquatic sediments and the water column, or in tidal regions. At the zonal interface, substantial physical variations (flow velocities, hydraulic gradients) and chemical gradients (e.g., oxygen, pH, temperature, organic carbon, and contaminants) coexist and thus create unique ecological niches for diverse microbial activity. The main task of the PhD student will be to characterize (A) small-scale gradients in hydrocarbon contaminated aquifers using microsensor equipment, characterize (B) the ecology, physiology, and the (meta)genome of hydrocarbon degraders in situ, and (C) the role and distribution of extracellular electron transport via type IV pili in aquifer sediments. The aim is to provide insight into the processes governing intrinsic bioremediation.

The position is at Uppsala University, but the work will be located both in Uppsala (Sweden) and Leipzig (Germany).

We seek a highly motivated creative person with a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and the willingness to live and work at both locations (Uppsala and Leipzig) during their PhD studies. Candidates should have a master (Diploma or equivalent) in Biology and should have a very good knowledge of English. A background in microsensor application is desirable. The application should include a short letter which describes yourself and your research interests, a CV, copies of your exams, degrees and grades, and – if relevant – a copy of your Masters thesis, diploma projects or equivalent. Names and contact information for one or two reference persons shall be included. Other relevant material can also be included.

Funding for a PhD position normally extends over a period of four (full-time equivalent) years. Additionally, optional teaching assistance duties up to a level of 20% of full time may be pursued, depending on availability. More information can be obtained on the following web page: http://www.teknat.uu.se . Further regulations concerning for PhD-students are as laid down in Högskoleförordningen 5 kap, 1-7 §§. Uppsala University is striving to achieve gender equality and therefore we explicitly encourage women to apply for this position.

For further information contact Dr. Annelie Wendeberg, +49 (0)341 235 1377, e-mail: annelie.pernthaler@ufz.de, or Dr. Stefan Bertilson +46-18-4712712, e-mail: stebe@ebc.uu.se. The trade union representatives are Anders Grundström, Saco (the Swedish Confederation of Professional Associations), phone +46 18 471 5380 and Carin Söderhäll, TCO/ST (the Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees), phone +46 18 471 1996, Stefan Djurström, Seko (the Union of Service and Communication Employees), phone +46 18 471 3315.

The application should be sent, preferably by e-mail to: registrator@uu.se, or by fax +46-18471 2000, or by mail to: Registrar´s Office, Uppsala University, Box 256, SE-751 05 UPPSALA, Sweden. In any correspondence please use the reference number UFV-PA 2010/2094. Application deadline on 30 September, 2010.

Further scholarship details:

Scholarship Tags: Ecology, LIMNOLOGY, Microbial, Molecular, PhD, Sweden, University, Uppsala