University of BayreuthDepartment of Ecological Microbiology
November 2012 – DFG-funded
1 Doctoral Position (E 13 TV-L 50%; 3 years) OR
1 Postdoctoral Position (E 13 TV-L ; 1.5 years)
(Start: As soon as possible)
We are seeking highly motivated candidates with Masters Degree or Diploma in the Biological, Biochemical, or Geological Sciences. Expertise in microbiology and molecular biology is preferred.
We offer the opportunity to work in an international research team and short-term stays with international cooperation partners in Finland, Norway, Austria, and Russia. The project is associated with the CryoCARB and CryoN consortia.
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Unraveling community structure, ecophysiology, and regulation of new acid-tolerant denitrifiers driving high N2O emissions from cryoturbated peat soil in acidic tundra
Consequences of global change associated permafrost thawing with respect to greenhouse gas emissions are virtually unknown. Cryoturbated peat circles in arctic, permafrost-affected tundra are pristine, recently discovered ‘hot spots’ of N2O emission, while adjacent unturbated peat sites are not1. Distinct soil denitrifier communities are associated with such contrasting N2O-emission patterns2. Denitrification is a major source of N2O in peatlands, and denitrifiers contribute to the control of N2O emissions. Thus, the ecophysiology and spatial distribution of active denitrifiers in cryoturbated and unturbated peat will be addressed. The regulation of denitrifier activity, the identity of active organisms, and their response to warming will be assessed in the laboratory and in situ as an integral part of a simulated warming experiment. New acid-tolerant denitrifiers will be targeted by stable isotope probing and directed isolation approaches. Data will contribute to an estimation of the effect of global warming on denitrifiers and how permafrost soils might react in the future.
Methods: RNA-Stable Isotope Probing, qPCR, differential metatranscriptomics, T-RFLP, MPN, directed isolation of target organisms, process analytics (HPLC, GC).
1 Repo, M. E., S. Susiluoto, S. E. Lind, S. Jokinen, V. Elsakov, C. Biasi, T. Virtanen, and P. J. Martikainen. 2009. Large N2O emissions from cryoturbated peat soil in tundra. Nature Geoscience 2:189-192.
2 Palmer, K., C. Biasi, and M. A. Horn. 2011. Contrasting denitrifier communities relate to contrasting N2O emission patterns from acidic peat soils in arctic tundra. ISME Journal 6: 1058-1077.
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Applications should include CV, subject of masters/diploma thesis, list of scientific skills, and contact information for two references. Send preferably by E-Mail (or mail) to:
E-Mail: Marcus.Horn@uni-bayreuth.de, Subject code (Reference): CryoN-MIC
Mail: PD Dr. Marcus A. Horn, Department of Ecological Microbiology, University of Bayreuth, Dr.-Hans-Frisch-Str. 1-3, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany
(www.bayceer.uni-bayreuth.de/mik)
The University of Bayreuth is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women are encouraged and will be given equal consideration. Applications from challenged individuals with equal qualification will be given preference.
