Functie-inhoud
PhD student in Aquatic Microbial Ecology and Biogeography
Aim
The overall objective of this PhD project is to study the genomic make-up and biogeographic zoning of lacustrine microbial mat communities in the Antarctic Realm and to assess their resilience to local and regional environmental change.
Justification
Global circulation models predict magnified climate change in polar regions, which will have a profound impact on ecosystem structure and function. In particular, polar lakes appear to be responsive to climate change due to changing ice cover duration and nutrient import. Primary producers are among the first to be affected, resulting into changes at higher trophic levels and decomposers. In the Antarctic realm, benthic mats dominated by cyanobacteria and eukaryote microalgae, are the major contributors to whole-lake photosynthesis while the absence of large-bodied grazers implies a central role for microbial foodwebs to dominate nutrient cycling.
Superimposed on global warming, invasions by alien species represent an additional, and in the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic region a potentially even greater threat to native biota that can result in range size contraction or even extinction of local taxa. The incidence of endemism in macro and micro-biota from the Antarctic Realm is high, which reflects their long history of isolation and low rates of migration and colonisation within the region since the onset of the Mid-Miocene cooling of the continent. Hence, magnified global warming and range size expansions during the Anthropocene have the potential to affect the evolutionary future of regional endemics at a rate far beyond the natural variability of at least the past 14 million years.
Task description
The work will include (i) construction and analysis of microbial biodiversity inventories using next generation sequencing approaches, (ii) studying the relative role of primary production and heterotrophic activity as a function of light and temperature using in situ measurement of photosynthesis and respiration and community metatranscriptomics, and (iii) targeted studies using cultured strains to infer gene flow and speciation events within key species.
Functieprofiel
We seek a motivated candidate holding a licentiate, masters or equivalent diploma in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or bioengineering with a keen interest in (polar) ecology and microbial biogeography.
Several activities are done in close collaboration with international project partners. Good communication skills (both in writing and verbal) and willingness to travel and work abroad for short periods are therefore a must.
Experience with cultivation of microorganisms, molecular techniques, and/or bio-informatics is an advantage, but not necessary.
The candidate is willing to apply for an IWT scholarship.
Hoe solliciteren ?
An application should enclose a C.V., a one page justification of your interest and at least two references. Applications should be sent before the 30th of September 2012 to Dr. Elie Verleyen (
elie.verleyen@ugent.be).
For questions about the scientific content of this job offer, please contact Prof. Dr. Wim Vyverman (+32(0)9/2648501,
wim.vyverman@ugent.be) or Dr. Elie Verleyen (+32(0)9/2648504).
