Germany: PhD Position in Geomicrobiology-Microbial Ecology
| The research group for Geomicrobiology/Microbial Ecology at the Center for Applied Geosciences at the University of Tübingen is looking for a PhD student working on |
‘Genetic and physiological mechanisms of microbial iron oxidation’
Project description:
Under anoxic conditions, Fe(II) is relatively stable, and anaerobic nitrate-reducing and anoxygenic phototrophic microorganisms are mainly responsible for its oxidation to Fe(III). The molecular mechanism and cellular localization of anaerobic Fe(II) oxidation is largely unknown. Genetic and electron-microscopic studies suggest that Fe(II) oxidation occurs in the periplasm and/or at the cell surface. While Fe(II) is relatively soluble at neutral pH, Fe(III) is poorly soluble and is therefore rapidly precipitating as Fe(III) mineral after its formation from Fe(II). Anaerobic Fe(II)-oxidizing microorganisms are therefore challenged by the formation of a potentially harmful metabolic product, i.e., Fe(III) minerals. The Fe(III) ions and Fe(III) minerals are expected to sorb to the cell surface, leading to cell encrustation that could prevent or limit the availability of photons (in case of the phototrophs), nutrients and substrates, thus leading to reduced cell metabolism or even cell death. The focus of this research project will be the identification of genetic/physiological mechanisms and strategies used by neutrophilic, anaerobic Fe(II)-oxidizers (phototrophic and nitrate-reducing) to cope with and/or prevent cell encrustation. In this project microbial cultures of different nitrate-reducing and phototrophic Fe(II)-oxidizers will be systematically characterized using molecular, physiological, geochemical, and microscopy techniques. In defined growth experiments iron oxidation and nitrate reduction by the different iron-oxidizing bacterial cultures shall be further studied using quantitative transcriptomic/ proteomic approaches and bioinformatics tools.
We offer a PhD position in an interdisciplinary, international, young and dynamic team of microbiologists, geochemists and geoscientists. The position provides an opportunity for the candidate to be creative, and to work on a challenging topic which combines various fields within environmental sciences. Ideal candidates should have a solid background in environmental microbiology, microbial ecology, and/or biogeochemistry, and be interested in bioinformatic analyses of functional “omics” data. Applicants must have the ability to work in a team, have good management and communication skills and should be highly motivated and committed to pursuing interdisciplinary research. Good computer and language skills (English) are necessary. The candidate will have the opportunity to publish/present his/her results in international journals and at conferences.
The starting date is February 1st 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter. The PhD position will be funded through a DFG (German Research Foundation) fellowship. The employment will be arranged by the administration of the University of Tübingen. Disabled persons will be preferred in case of equal qualification.
Applications including a detailed CV, certificates (including grades) and motivation letter explaining your interest in the offered position should be sent by email before December 31st to:
Dr. Sebastian Behrens, Geomicrobiology group, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen Sigwartstrasse 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany, Phone: +49-7071-2975496
Email: sebastian.behrens@ifg.uni-tuebingen.de
Application Deadline: 31 December 2012
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