Phd Microplastics in frontal systems of temperate and polar waters

The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.

Phd Position "Microplastics in frontal systems of temperate and polar waters" (m/f/d)

Background

Valid and reliable data on the spatiotemporal occurrence of microplastics (MP) in the North Sea are still scarce. Formerly applied random sampling designs did not explicitly consider the complex current regime present in the North Sea. In the project “Microplastics in frontal systems of temperate and polar waters”, a comprehensive modelling approach using the toolbox PELLETS-2D will be applied to address possible MP-enrichment zones. Based on these findings and in conjunction with the MOSES joint observing system (

, water as well as sediment samples will be taken at pre-defined sites & times and subsequently analyzed for MP by FTIR-Imaging. Since frontal zones are also considered to be areas of increased aggregation and sedimentation, vertical transport processes will be analyzed additionally. This combined approach, consisting of modelling and empirical components, will, for the first time, provide realistic data on the MP-load of the North Sea (and later of polar seas) and provide stakeholders with reliable MP data with respect to MSFD directive 10 (Properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment).

The position is part of our recruiting initiative AWI INSPIRES - INternational Science Program for Integrative Research in Earth Systems. AWI INSPIRES aims at strengthening our new research program “Changing Earth, Sustaining our Future”. Details about all open positions and the general application requirements can be found at

.

Tasks

You will

• define possible MP-enrichment zones in the German Bight/North Sea by comprehensive PELLETS-2D Lagrangian transport calculations,
• sample water, aggregates & sediments on research cruises (e.g. in conjunction with MOSES campaigns),
• extract, purify and analyze (e.g. FTIR Imaging) MP from complex matrices, and
• describe the spatiotemporal occurrence, “hot spots” and possible MP-sources and -sinks in the North Sea

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences or related fields.
• Experience in modelling approaches, uni/multivariate statistics and GIS.
• Experience in analytical chemistry (e.g. FTIR-Spectroscopy).
• Willingness to participate in ship-based sampling campaigns.
• Excellent English language skills and enjoy working in an international and interdisciplinary team.

Further Information

For further information please contact
Dr.
Gunnar Gerdts
(Gunnar.Gerdts@awi.de, +49(4725)819-3245) or
Prof. Dr. Bettina Meyer
(Bettina.Meyer@awi.de, +49(471)4831-1378).
The position is limited to 3 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level

13 (66%)
. The place of employment will be
Helgoland.
All doctoral candidates will be members of AWI’s postgraduate program
and thus benefit from a comprehensive training program and extensive support measures.

This characterizes us

• our scientific success - excellent research.
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary.
• opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI.
• a culture of reconciling work and family – audited, and even more than that.
• our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more.
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world.
• having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
• flat hierarchies – freedom and responsibility.
• exciting topics – also in technology, administration and infrastructure.

Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy and we encourage women to apply.

Background

Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.

We look forward to your application!

Please forward your application with letter of motivation explaining why you want to join one of our research areas, two letters of recommendation and a list of publications by

February 16
th
, 2020
exclusively online.
Selected candidates will be invited to present their research ideas and motivation during the “Annual recruitment days”, planned from 16 to 24 March 2020 in Bremerhaven, Germany.

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