The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics, thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
Description
PostDoc (m/f/d) Organic carbon mineralization in coastal sandy sediments
Background The research section ’Bentho-Pelagic Processes’ in Bremerhaven, Germany, offers a Postdoctoral position (m/f/d) focusing on organic carbon mineralisation in coastal sandy sediments, starting 01.01.2022. You will participate in a project of the Marum Cluster of Excellence, "The Ocean Floor – Earth’s Uncharted Interface".
The research project investigates the role of coastal sandy sediments in the transformation and mineralisation of organic carbon. The aim is to analyse the various pathways of organic matter and determine the particulate and dissolved fractions that are retained and degraded in sands to assess the filtration capacity of sandy seabeds and their potential to buffer the anthropogenic matter input to coastal seas. By combining the fields of sediment dynamics, biogeochemistry and microbiology, the research project aims to understand how sediment properties, hydro- and morphodynamics, and microbial activity determine the transport pathways and the mineralisation rates of particulate and dissolved organic matter in coastal sands.
Within the Marum Cluster of Excellence, you will join the project of the Research Unit "Receiver" Theme 2: "The role of continental shelves in nutrient cycling and organic matter transformation". The project is embedded in a multidisciplinary network of cooperation partners from several institutes in Northern Germany. It is planned to approach the research topic by combining ship-based field measurements (e.g. with automated benthic observatories), experimental work (e.g. with flow-through reactors), organic carbon analytics, and mathematical modelling.
Tasks
Planning and conducting field measurements to determine POC/DOC distribution and oxygen uptake rates in sands and bottom waters
Designing and implementing experiments to determine the POC retention in sands of various grain size distribution
Designing and implementing experiments to determine the uptake/release of DOC from sands
Analysing organic matter composition and lability
Developing a conceptual model for organic matter fluxes between sands and bottom water
Merging and analysing the retrieved data, publishing of results
Requirements
PhD in geoscience, bioscience, environmental sciences or related disciplines
Strong interest in aquatic biogeochemistry and sedimentary transport-reaction processes.
Expertise in benthic mineralisation processes and carbon cycling
Expertise in reaction rate and flux measurements
Knowledge in organic carbon analysis
Experience in data analysis and programming using e.g. Matlab and/or R
High interest in self-contained research, presentation and publication of scientific data
Very good English language skills written and spoken
Good computer software skills (MS-Office-products)
Interest and capacity for teamwork, international, inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration as well as the capability to support and supervise PhD-students, students and interns
Willingness and capability to participate in seagoing expeditions.
Further Information
Please contact Dr. Moritz Holtappels (moritz.holtappelsawi.de; +49(471)4831-2030) for further information.
This is a full-time position, limited to 4 years. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.
Postdocs have to register with AWI’s postdoc office PROCEED , thereby gaining access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.
We offer
The AWI is characterised by
our scientific success - excellent research
collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI
a culture of reconciling work and family – an audited and well-supported aspect of our operation
our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more
an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world
having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
flat hierarchies – facilitating freedom and responsibility
exciting science topics, with opportunities also in technology, administration and infrastructure
Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy. The AWI aims to increase the number of female employees and therefore strongly encourages qualified women to apply.
Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family in various ways and has received a number of awards as a result of this engagement.
We look forward to your application!
Contact and Address
Please submit your application by October 25th 2021, exclusively online. Reference number 21/175/D/Bio-b.
