PhD Position in Microbial Metabolisms in Deep Sea and Hadal Systems

The Danish Center for HADAL Research in Nordcee/Department of Biology at the University of Southern Denmark seeks applicants for a three-year PhD position focused on microbial organic carbon mineralization in seafloor sediments from the ocean's greatest depths - the hadal zone. Steep redox gradients hadal sediments indicate a high potential for nitrogen-, sulphur-, and iron-related metabolisms involved in the remineralization of organic matter and these metabolisms remain largely unexplored. 

The PhD student will investigate questions such as 1) What are the pathways and rates of aerobic and anaerobic respiration in hadal sediments? 2) To what extent do these processes vary within and across different hadal trenches? 3) How does hydrostatic pressure-characteristic of hadal systems-play in impact microbial respiration, and how does its effect differ for different metabolisms? The PhD student will carry out experiments in the lab and on research cruises and will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for microbiological, biogeochemical, molecular, and high-pressure work.

An aptitude for fieldwork and a background in microbiology, biogeochemistry, marine science, environmental chemistry, or a related discipline is desired but not required. 

Deadline
15 November 2021
Please see the full call, including how to apply, on www.sdu.dk.