Limnological Station
Dept. of Hydrology

Nitrogen deposition and concurrent climate change are important stressors on the structure and functioning of wetlands. Applications are invited for two Ph.D. positions in wetland biogeochemistry within the EU-funded consortium PEATBOG. The consortium will address interactions between atmospheric nitrogen deposition and climate change, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning in European peatlands.

The Ph.D. projects will analyze if nitrogen losses are accelerated by loss of biodiversity and if warmer and drier conditions further enhance the loss of N and C on the European scale. A further important task is the identification of thresholds that may lead to 'catastrophic' change in ecosystem structure and functioning. To this end nitrogen cycling will be analyzed using 15N stable isotope abundance in mesocosm and field experiments, the effect of nitrogen deposition on carbon accumulation will be studied along nitrogen deposition gradients in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia, and the fate of nitrogen and carbon will be simulated using an established peatland ecosystem model. The projects are tightly connected to related work of several European and Canadian research groups and will give much opportunity to both travel and collaboration. A substantial part of the laboratory and thesis work will be carried out at the University of Guelph, Canada.

Applicants will have a Masters degree in environmental science, geology, ecology, or soil science. Previous experience in wetland research, analytical techniques such as gas- and ion chromatography, good computing skills, and willingness to travel and work in different settings are advantageous. Good knowledge of the English language, written and oral, and experience in scientific writing is expected.

The positions are offered for three years with a net salary of approximately € 1000/month and additional social benefits, such as health and unemployment insurance.

Applicants should send a brief letter of motivation, a CV, e-mail addresses of two potential academic referees, and documentation of transcripts of records or university certificates.

The positions are offered for three years with a net salary of approximately € 1000/month and additional social benefits, such as health-, unemployment-, and retirement insurance.

Closing date for applications is 28/02/2009. The positions will be available as of 01/04/2009 but a later begin can be accommodated if required.

For additional information contact Dr. Christian Blodau (Limnological Research Station, University of Bayreuth, 95445 Bayreuth, christian.blodau@uni-bayreuth.de, + 0049 921 552223). For additional information about the department: http://www.hydro.uni-bayreuth.de/index.php?lang=en.