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PhD Researcher: Jena / Leipzig, Germany

The German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) is one of four National Research Centres funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). It is located in the city of Leipzig and jointly hosted by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU), the University of Leipzig (UL), and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ). It is supported by the Max Planck Society, the Leibniz Association and the Free State of Saxony.

Its central mission is to promote theory-driven synthesis and data-driven theory in this emerging field. The concept of iDiv encompasses the detection of biodiversity, understanding its emergence, exploring its consequences for ecosystem functions and services, and developing strategies to safeguard biodiversity under global change.

The Aquatic Geomicrobiology Group of Prof. Dr. Kirsten Küsel of the FSU http://www.geomicrobiology.de/ seeks an enthusiastic and creative new member to start a PhD in autumn 2016 in close collaboration with the Physiological Diversity group of Prof. Stan Harpole of iDiv. The goal of our joint research project is to evaluate the interactions within and between different trophic levels (bacteria and eukaryotic microorganisms) in a set of aquatic microcosm experiments to test mechanistic and physiologically-based ecological theories in microbial ecology. Therefore, the University of Jena offers the following position in Jena:

PhD Researcher
for testing ecological theories with microbial communities
(up to 4 years of funding, 65 % of a full-time employment)
Salary: Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L

We are looking for a young researcher who can propose his own thesis project within the framework of our research. The mission of the Aquatic Geomicrobiology lab is to explore and understand the diversity and functioning of microbial communities in the environment. Our research encompasses monitoring in the field and lab experiments with model communities. Our main challenge is to identify the key functions that shape most of the microbial biodiversity. The mission of the Physiological Diversity group is to test and develop a theory to explain species coexistence and to predict biodiversity loss due to multiple changing environmental factors. You will be integrated in our research group composed of international experts of the field who can transmit their expertise, and in close proximity to experts of adjacent fields, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition, you will be integrated in the yDiv doctoral program, which offers courses and activities for a successful dissertation and to get ready for the rest of your career while having the recognition of an excellent track. The project itself will be integrative in that it aims to combine biodiversity theory with organismal physiology and modern "-omics" approaches.

We offer:

• A great and friendly scientific environment
• A world leading research center with a reputation for excellence
• Recent, top-level facilities
• A multinational and transdisciplinary atmosphere
• Support and training by a specially designed, student-oriented doctoral program
• Integration in international research networks and bonding experiences with renowned researchers
• Financial support for a 3-months out-of-Germany collaboration
• High quality of life in Jena

Topic / job description:

• Co-cultivation experiments with model organisms. Characterizing communities and species interactions using, e.g., (SIP)-labeling studies, qPRC, flow cytometry, (meta)-transcriptomics analyses, bioinformatics
• Ecological theory and modeling
• Write scientific papers on the project in internationally peer-reviewed journals
• Present the research at national and international meetings
• Participate in iDiv's PhD training program yDiv

Requirements / expected profile:

• An excellent MSc degree in Microbiology, Ecology, Biology or another relevant field of research
• Experience in molecular microbial ecology, cultivation, transcriptomic analyses is welcome
• Background in ecological theory is welcome
• Excellent knowledge of the English language in speaking and writing
• Teamwork, open for theoretical approaches

Address your detailed application in English to Prof. Dr. Küsel, including a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae, two academic recommendation letters and copies of the MSc/BSc/Diploma certificates. Each piece must be compiled in a single pdf file sent by email to ydiv@idiv.de before August 7th 2016. Please quote no. 127/2016 in the subject line. Hard copy applications can be sent to German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Prof. Dr. Kirsten Küsel; Deutscher Platz 5e; 04103 Leipzig.

For details about the application process, please contact ydiv@idiv.de. For scientific details and discussion about the research project, please contact kirsten.kuesel@uni-jena.de.

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Severely disabled persons are encouraged to apply and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Job details

Employer:Friedrich-Schiller-Universitat Jena / German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig

Website:https://www.idiv.de/en.html

Location:Jena / Leipzig, Germany

Expires:August 07, 2016

Job type:PhD Studentship

Salary:Unspecified

Qualifications:Postgraduate - Master's degree

Employment type:Contract

Job hours:Part-time