Doctoral researcher: microbiologist

About us

In the Benthic Microbiology Group, we study the ecology, physiology and biogeochemical impact of microorganisms in marine environments. To investigate diversity, interactions and metabolic capacities of marine bacteria and archaea, we combine molecular-biological methods, next-generation sequencing technics and bioinformatic tools with classical and novel cultivation approaches. (please visit https://uole.de/icbm/bemic)

The research unit DynaDeep is a collaborative project investigating the hydrodynamic and biogeochemical processes in subterranean estuaries, i.e. the connective zones between land and sea. In Phase 2, the role of reactive zones (‘hot spots’), events (‘hot moments’), and compounds (‘hot stuff’) for the overall turnover of the biogeochemical reactor will be addressed at our central field site on the island Spiekeroog in Germany. The transferability and generalizability of our findings will further be challenged by conducting research at additional beaches in Belgium and France and with different global model approaches. With this interdisciplinary strategy, DynaDeep will elucidate the global relevance of the dynamic deep subsurface of high-energy beaches for carbon, nutrient and trace element cycling. For more information, see also https://uole.de/en/icbm/dynadeep.

Your tasks

The successful candidate will be involved in all sampling campaigns to investigate the effect of different terminal electron acceptor availability on the degradation of DOM from the subterranean estuary and identify the microorganisms involved. This will be done in a multidisciplinary approach combining meta-omics, mass-spectrometry and analytics in a series of batch experiments. For validating the findings of aforementioned experiments, comparisons will be made with material from beaches in France (Truc Vert) and Belgium (De Panne). In a combined approach together with the second doctoral researcher in our subproject (P5.1), the candidate will perform co-cultivation experiments on isolates from the first phase of DynaDeep and selected porewaters to enrich members of so-far uncultivated Patescibacteria.

Your profile

• University degree (Master) with a focus on biology/ microbiology/ environmental sciences
• Skills in molecular microbial ecology
• Knowledge of programming languages (R / Bash)
• Experience in sterile working techniques
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent English language skills
• Excellent communication and organizational skills, intrinsic motivation and a strong interest in collaborative research

• Experience in fieldwork
• Experience in working / sampling anaerobic
• Knowledge about sampling geochemical parameters and or dissolved organic matter
• Knowledge about analyzing metagenomic- transcriptomic datasets

We offer

• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the regulations of the German salary agreement for public service employees (TV-L)
• An interesting position in an international and interdisciplinary research team
• An open, cooperative, family-friendly working atmosphere
• Opportunities for personal and professional development, e.g. within the graduate school OLTECH 

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Further information

We are seeking a motivated doctoral researcher within the DFG-funded Research Unit DynaDeep "The Dynamic Deep Subsurface of High-Energy Beaches” (phase 2, subproject P5.2) starting at the next possible date (earliest 10/2025).

Contact

For further questions please contact Dr. Julius Degenhardt ([email protected], +49 (0) 441 798 5376).