"PhD Position in Marine Methane Biogeochemistry"

Job Summary

Contribute to understanding carbon cycle feedbacks in the climate system through seagoing fieldwork, laboratory experiments, and modeling. Explore biogeochemical drivers of microbial methane removal in coastal systems like estuaries, bays, and fjords. Two positions available: one on aerobic methane removal and one on anaerobic methane removal.

Responsibilities

• Study the role of aerobic methanotrophs in removing methane in coastal systems and related biogeochemical controls (Position 1).
• Investigate how increased input of organic matter and metal oxides impacts anaerobic methane removal in high-latitude coastal sediments (Position 2).
• Use techniques such as benthic lander incubations, synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopy, methane isotopes, metagenomics, transcriptomics, and reactive transport modeling.
• Teaching load up to 10% of working time.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Hold an MSc degree in Earth, Environmental, or Life Sciences (e.g., biogeochemistry, microbial ecology, environmental chemistry).
• Good communication skills and ability to operate in a dynamic international research team.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Willingness to develop into an independent scientist.
• Essential experience with chemical analysis; fieldwork experience is an advantage.

What the Employer Offers

• Temporary employment contract of 1.0 FTE for 1.5 years, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation.
• Starting salary of €3,059 gross per month, increasing to €3,881 in the fourth year, based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale P).
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Dual Career Coaching for partners.
• Option for 30 or 41 days of annual leave.
• Flexible working hours, various leave arrangements, working from home, and opportunities for training and development.