The Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) is the largest freshwater ecology research institute in Germany. It is a member of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and the Leibniz-Association (www.wgl.de). IGB offers excellent laboratory and field facilities for interdisciplinary research, large-scale experimental facilities, and long-term research programs and data sets.

The project AquaMeth funded by DFG aims to establishing an online CH₄ measurement system to measure the spatio-temporal relationship between the dynamics of alga (e.g. cyanobacteria and cryptophytes) and CH₄ in the oxic water layers of meso-oligotrophic Lake Stechlin. Whilst the recently established methyl phosphonate metabolism might be present in the lake there is evidence that algae directly produce CH₄ during photosynthesis. However, the possible mechanism and its contribution to CH₄ produced in oxic waters to total CH₄ fluxes remains largely unknown. Thus AquaMeth aims to evaluate the precise chemistry and biology of CH₄ formation and oxidation processes to better understand the role of lakes in regional and global CH₄ cycling. Therefore, in collaboration with a PhD student from the University of Heidelberg (Prof. Dr. Frank Keppler) the complete CH₄ budget of two lakes in Germany will be quantified in detail, i.e. CH₄ bulk sources and sinks will be evaluated by a detailed mass balance approach combined with in situ incubation experiments using various precursors labelled with stable isotopes.

As part of AquaMeth, we offer 1 Postdoc Position (m/f)

As part of the team the postdoc will be involved in the planning and conduction of field campaigns and a number of lab experiments. The postdoc will be responsible for CH₄ concentration and flux measurements, and establishing the mass balance approach taking also physical data (turbulence measurements) into account.

For further information, contact Hans-Peter Grossart (hgrossart@igb-berlin.de).

We are seeking to recruit an excellent student with strong background knowledge in greenhouse gas concentration (GC, Los Gatos, Picarro) and flux measurements (flux chambers). Knowledge in stable isotope techniques is welcome, but not a prerequisite. The postdoc is expected to closely collaborate with the PhD student from Heidelberg.

Competitive applicants will hold a PhD with a strong background in greenhouse gas measurements. The position is available for 23.4 month. Salary is paid according to the German Public Service (TVöD, 100% position). Positions will be based at the department “Experimental Limnology” in Neuglobsow, Germany. In keeping with the institute’s policy regarding gender equity, female applicants are particularly encouraged. Disabled people with identical qualifications will be favored.

Please upload complete application documents as a single pdf-file via the IGB’s (www.igb-berlin.de/job-offers.html) online job-application facility (button “Apply online”). For full consideration, applications should be received by November 15, 2018.