The research group for Geomicrobiology at the Institute for Geosciences at the University of Tübingen is looking for a PhD student who will work for 3 years on:

Iron represents one of the most abundant elements in the Earth's crust and is an important nutrient for almost all living organisms in various aqueous and terrestrial environments. Certain bacteria have developed a metabolism that is based on the use of ferrous iron (iron(II) oxidation) which leads to precipitation of Fe(III)biominerals. Bacteria either use chemical or light energy to drive iron(II) oxidation, which forces these organisms to inhabit microniches that provide well defined chemical and physical properties. Althoughthese bacteria were discovered almost 200 years ago, the exact mechanism of microbial iron(II) oxidation, their interrelation amongst each other and their local distribution patterns still remain unknown. The advertised PhD position offers a possibility to shed more light into this microbial Fe(II) oxidation process, especially with respect to the competition between phototrophic and chemotrophic iron oxidation in freshwater sediments for Fe(II) and the link between the iron and nitrogen cycle. Applied methods will include geochemical analyses, microbial cultivation and molecular biology techniques.

We are offering a PhD position in an interdisciplinary, international, young and dynamic team of microbiologists, geochemists and geoscientists. This 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 geochemistry/environmental sciences, environmental microbiology and/or microbial ecology and are interested in geomicrobiology. 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 participate in field work and present his/her results in international journals and conferences.

The starting date is September 1^st or as soon as possible thereafter. The employment (TVL E13, 50%) will be arranged by the administration of the University of Tübingen. Disabled persons will be preferred in case of equal qualification.

Applications should be sent by email before June 30^th to: Prof. Dr. Andreas Kappler, Geomicrobiology group, Center for Applied Geosciences, University of Tübingen Sigwartstrasse 10, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany, Phone: ++49-7071-2974992 Email: andreas.kappler@uni-tuebingen.de

More information including recent publications on the advertised PhD topic can be found on our website: http://www.geo.uni-tuebingen.de/arbeitsgruppen/angewandte-geowissenschaften/geomikrobiologie.html