The department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB; principal investigator dr. Pierre Offre) is looking for a highly motivated PhD Student with a keen interest in microbial physiology who would like to support the research of a diverse and ubiquitous group of marine benthic bacteria: JTB255

The Project

In this project, you will characterize the range of electron donors and carbon sources used by a cultivated strain of the JTB255 group as well as its growth and substrate uptake kinetics. Among several classes of substrates, the project will emphasize growth on lipids and the broad variety of related compounds, which are important drivers of the health and stability of marine ecosystems and also function as determinants of the bioaccumulation of pollutants.

Niche separation between the cultivated strain and more widely investigated lipid-degrading bacteria will be investigated using comparative analyses of their physiology and genomes. We will attempt to enrich additional strains of JTB255 bacteria using knowledge acquired from the characterization of the strain that is currently available.

You are a highly motivated young researcher with an MSc degree in microbiology or microbial ecology. You are eager to elucidate the lifestyle and traits of microorganisms and you are willing to work across disciplines using experimental work on cultivated bacterial strains, ecological molecular approaches, and comparative genomics.

Some experience in handling and maintaining bacterial cultures is strongly desired but experience in comparative genomics and/or knowledge of biochemistry (especially microbial metabolisms) would also be advantages. You will be working in an international research environment. A very good command of spoken and written English is therefore essential.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Employment of this position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO-I (The Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research). We offer a 4-year full time position with an excellent salary, a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus, and flexible work arrangements. You may expect very attractive secondary employment conditions. We offer generous relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ)

The Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) is the leading research institute in the Netherlands for the basic marine sciences. Five departments (Physical Oceanography, Marine Geology, Marine Organic Biogeochemistry, Biological Oceanography and Marine Ecology) carry out the multidisciplinary research of the institute. Approximately 250 persons are currently appointed at the NIOZ. NIOZ has a large variety of instrumentation and is operating modernly equipped research vessels for coastal and ocean studies. The institute is located on the Wadden Island of Texel, close to the mainland.

http://www.nioz.nl/

Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry (MMB)

Learn more about the department of Marine Microbiology and Biogeochemistry here.