Doctoral researcher, marine biogeochemistry

About us

The ICBM-MPI Bridging Group for Marine Geochemistry studies the biogeochemistry of dissolved organic matter (DOM), with focus on its sources and fate at land-ocean interfaces, its role as a substrate sustaining microbial life, and its potential for carbon sequestration on millennial timescales. We employ state-of-the-art ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to follow the molecular traces of DOM production, and abiotic and biological turnover.

 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 alsohttps://uole.de/en/icbm/dynadeep.

Your tasks

The PhD project will focus on organic matter as essential driver of microbial processes in the subterranean estuary. Your tasks include (1) participating in porewater and sediment sampling campaigns at our field sites, (2) conducting laboratory incubation experiments to assess microbial transformations of organic compounds, (3) chemically analyzing natural organic matter on molecular and structural level, (4) evaluating complex data sets in the context of microbial community information provided by microbiological subprojects of DynaDeep, (5) presenting at international conferences and publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals. 

Your profile

Requirements:

• An academic university degree (M.Sc.) in environmental sciences, biogeochemistry, analytical geochemistry, chemical oceanography, marine microbiology, and related disciplines
• Proven very good English language skills (written and spoken, at least B2 TOEFL level or comparable qualification)
• Experience with geochemical sample processing and analysis, preferably under trace clean conditions

Desirable:

• Familiarity with mass spectrometry
• Knowledge of multivariate statistics, management of large-size datasets, basic programming with e.g. R, Python or Matlab
• Good teamwork and communication skills

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

The position starts at the next possible date (earliest 10/2025).

It belongs to the research unit DynaDeep "The Dynamic Deep Subsurface of High-Energy Beaches” (phase 2).

Contact

For further questions please contact Dr. Jutta Niggemann ([email protected]).