PhD Scholarship in Microbial Interspecies Interactions Involved in Seabed Methane Cycling

 


We invite applicants for a three-year PhD scholarship in microbial interactions involved in seabed methane cycling. The scholarship is partly funded by the Danish Research Council and partly by the Department of Biology and the Faculty of Science, University of Southern Denmark. The project will be based at the Nordcee section, Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark (Principal Investigator: Amelia-Elena Rotaru). The project is a collaboration with the Department of Bioscience at Aarhus University (Co-PI: Bo Barker Jørgensen; Co-investigators: Kasper Urup Kjeldsen and Hans Røy). The starting date for the position is 1 September 2021 or soon thereafter. Application deadline: 31 July 2021.

Project background
In the seabed, microorganisms (archaea) produce large amounts of the greenhouse gas methane. Most methane is decomposed below the sediment surface, where it is oxidized with sulphate. We recently discovered a previously undetected production of methane in the sulfate methane transition zone. Here, anaerobic methane oxidizing archaea appear capable of reversing their metabolism and produce methane, possibly via syntrophic acetate oxidation. These archaea may exchange electrons through electrically conductive molecules on the cell surface or via conductive mineral particles naturally occurring in sediments. These results may be important for understanding how enhanced nutrient load and rising temperature could affect the seabed's natural methane filter in the future.

We will use sensitive analytical and experimental methods to study how electrons are transferred between microorganisms and how such electron transfer is regulated. The PhD project aims to explore the interspecies associations of archaea and bacteria from the sulfate-methane transition, then uncouple the organisms in bioelectrochemical reactors in the laboratory where we can test the reversibility of the process. 

Qualifications
Candidates are expected to have an MSc degree in a field relevant to the project, such as environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry or bioelectrochemistry. There is also the possibility of joining a four-year MSc-PhD programme. The candidate should preferably have experience in aquatic microbiology, microbial ecophysiology, or related fields. Experience with bioelectrochemical systems is desirable. We are looking for candidates who are enthusiastic about fundamental science, independent, and interested in working in an interdisciplinary environment, sharing ideas, and collaborating with people from different fields. The candidate should be proficient in spoken and written English.

For further information, please contact: Associate Professor Amelia-Elena Rotaru, e-mail: arotaru@biology.sdu.dk, phone: +45 81920352.


Application, salary etc.
Appointment as a PhD Research Fellow is for three (students who have completed their MSc) or four years (students who have not yet completed their MSc). Employment stops automatically at the end of the period. The holder of the scholarship is not allowed to have other paid employment during the three-year period.

The successful applicant will be employed in accordance with the agreement on salaried PhD scholars between the Ministry of Finance and AC (the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations). Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at this university in accordance with faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order).

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Application must be made in the form of a Declaration of Interest including the following:
• A research proposal/description of your approach to the above project (max one page excluding references)
• A letter stating your specific interest, motivation and qualifications for the project in question (max. two pages) (please attach this under box "Application form")
• Detailed CV, including personal contact information
• Copies of diplomas, Bachelor as well as Master’s degree, including transcript of notes/grades
• At least two signed reference letters. Should your referees wish to send their letters directly to us, please have them use e-mail: anc@sdu.dk mentioning your name and the title of the position in the subject line. And please note that these also need to reach us before deadline.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

Further information about the PhD-study can be found at the homepage of the University.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply online". Attached files must be in Adobe PDF or Word format. Each box can only contain a single file of max. 10 Mb. We strongly recommend that you read How to apply before you apply.

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will neither be considered nor evaluated. This also applies to reference letters.

Further information for international applicants about entering and working in Denmark.

Send application
Deadline 2021-July-31

You can apply for the job at Faculty of Science by completing the application form

APPLY ONLINE


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