Applications are welcome for a three-year PhD position at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN) at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). The position is funded by a VILLUM Foundation Young Investigator Programme Grant to Assist. Prof. Nicole Posth on the topic of biogeochemical cycling associated with marine (micro)plastic debris.

Project details

• The PhD research will be carried out in the Geomicrobiology lab established within the Sedimentary Systems Group (SedSys).
• The lab collaborates closely with research groups at Stockholm University (Sweden), University of Southern Denmark, and the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research (Germany), among others.

This project will define:

• the microbial communities associated with marine plastic debris
• the interaction of microbial communities at the microbe-plastic interface
• biogeochemical cycling at or near marine plastic debris.
• Therefore, the selected candidate will have a strong interest in aqueous biogeochemistry, marine microbiology, or geomicrobiology required to explore microbe-plastic interactions, as well as element cycling and transport associated with plastic debris in the marine environment.

The candidate will:

1. apply molecular community analysis to characterize the microbial communities associated with plastic debris in laboratory and targeted field samples and
2. develop and use bio-imaging and biogeochemical protocols to link microbial community associations to element cycling at and near the plastic-microbe interface.

Qualifications and job requirements: 

• The candidate must have completed her/his MSc in a relevant discipline.
• The candidate will preferably have some background in microbial culturing, field sampling, isotope approaches, and/or standard and cutting-edge geomicrobiological techniques.
• An aptitude for laboratory and fieldwork are required.
• Creativity, independent thinking, good communication skills, and the ability to work in a team are all important qualities.

Forfurther information please contact Nicole Posth via email: nrep@ign.ku.dk or telephone +45 3533 4277.