PhD Particle-Zooplankton Interactions (m/f/d)

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 "Particle-Zooplankton Interactions" (m/f/d)

Background

Understanding the vertical flux of organic matter in the ocean is a key goal of biological oceanography. The amount of the organic matter that finally reaches the seafloor is determined by zooplankton feeding and microbial degradation. Information about the interactions between the zooplankton and the vertical particle flux is, however, scarce.

By combining studies on distribution patterns of particles and zooplankton, this project will identify the key zooplankton species feeding on the settling particles. We will use recently developed camera systems to quantify in situ abundance, size-distribution and composition of particles and zooplankton at high vertical resolution. On-board experiments will quantify the feeding rates and mechanisms of the key specie, and will be linked to the composition of aggregates and particles which often contain e.g. ballasting minerals and microplastic.

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

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Tasks

You will

• Perform image analyses of zooplankton and particles from in situ camera profiles obtained at high (HAUSGARTEN) and low (Cape Blanc) latitudes where two camera systems (LOKI and SeaPump ISC) are deployed in parallel.
• Analyze CTD profiles and link the vertical distributions of zooplankton and particles to hydrography.
• Plan, prepare and participate in seagoing expeditions during which you will deploy camera systems and zooplankton nets, and perform on-board incubation and direct video observation of zooplankton grazing on particles and aggregates (micro plastic, marine snow).
• Determine the in-situ grazing from zooplankton on settling aggregates using the results from the direct video observations and incubations, and formulate a parameterization that can explain the impact from zooplankton on the flux attenuation.
• Write and submit publications to international scientific journals.

Requirements

• Master of Science in Biology, Environmental Sciences or related fields.
• Expert knowledge in marine biology with a focus on zooplankton, seagoing research and image analyses.
• Good knowledge of the biological carbon pump, zooplankton sampling, taxonomy and zooplankton feeding behaviour.
• Basic knowledge in laboratory experiments and experimental design, as well as in physical oceanography.
• Proficiency in English (oral and written) and basic knowledge in mathematics and statistics.

Further Information

For further information please contact
Dr. Barbara Niehof
f (Barbara.Niehoff@awi.de,
+49(471)4831-1371) 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
Bremerhaven.
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.
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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