Doctoral student in Biology with a specialisation in Microbial Ecology

Descrizione

Doctoral student in Biology with a specialisation in Microbial Ecology Sintesi in italiano (traduzione automatica): L'Università di Lund cerca un dottorando in Biologia con specializzazione in Ecologia Microbica. Il candidato lavorerà nel gruppo di Microbial Biogeochemistry, sotto la supervisione del Professor Johannes Rousk e della ricercatrice senior Dr. Lettice Hicks. Le principali mansioni includono la ricerca sull'adattamento delle comunità microbiche del suolo a condizioni di siccità, utilizzando esperimenti di laboratorio e sul campo. È richiesta una laurea in Biologia o un campo correlato. Il dottorando sarà formato in metodi scientifici, etica della ricerca e avrà l'opportunità di sviluppare competenze di leadership e pedagogiche. Il progetto offre un'educazione avanzata in ecologia microbica del suolo e biogeochimica, con un forte focus su esperimenti pratici. Description of the workplace You will work within the Microbial Biogeochemistry in Lund (MBLU) environment, hosted at the department of Biology, at Lund University ( Microbial Biogeochemistry in Lund ), supervised by Professor Johannes Rousk and senior researcher Dr. Lettice Hicks. MBLU is a research environment that studies terrestrial ecosystems to better understand how soil microorganisms regulate global biogeochemistry which can be used to predict responses to environmental changes. We are a group of microbial ecologists, ecosystem ecologists, biogeochemists, and modellers, who have a shared vision, and combine empirical and modelling approaches to accomplish this. Our research focuses on the study of soil carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems around the globe; from arctic tundra to tropical rainforests and semiarid grasslands. We are specifically interested in aspects influencing the spatial and temporal variability in microbial community function and structure, and their responses to stress, with special emphasis on environmental factors such as soil moisture, temperature, limiting nutrients, salinity and pH, and anthropogenic factors such as tillage, fertilization and metal contamination. We study the microbial control and environmental dependence of ecosystem functions using field and laboratory experiments, and then incorporate validated ecological insights into models operating at different scales. Being a doctoral student As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree. More about being a doctoral student at Doctoral studies | Faculty of Science Subject and project description We are looking for a doctoral student whose mission it will be to investigate whether and how soil microbial communities can adapt their traits to enhance their performance during drought and after drought ends. Specifically, the doctoral student will determine how microbial resilience and resistance to drought can arise, along with its ecological, physiological, and/or evolutionary underpinnings. This work will combine controlled laboratory experiments, greenhouse pot experiments, and field experiments to advance our understanding of how microbial ecology can drive ecosystem biogeochemistry. It will be possible to include ongoing investigations where field experiments have been used to simulate ecosystem drought in arctic and terrestrial environments. Key performance metrics will include estimates of microbial growth occuring in intact soils samples, through the use of radio- and stable-isotope tracing methods, but also estimates of biogeochemical processes including C and nutrient cycling. The project will provide an advanced education in soil microbial ecology and biogeochemistry, and will be laboratory-intensive with opportunities to conduct fieldwork. The project is suitable for candidates with a background and interest in soil microbial ecology, ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry. General syllabus for third-cycle studies in Biology Work duties Your primary responsibility will be to pursue your doctoral education, which mainly consists of conducting independent research leading to a doctoral thesis. During your PhD studies, you will develop expertise in determining microbial growth rates in intact soil samples using isotope tracing techniques (stable and radioisotopes) to quantify isotope incorporation into specific biomarkers. By measuring microbial growth across environmental gradients (e.g. soil moisture), you Annuncio in inglese. Fonte: Euraxess (Commissione europea).