Would you like to contribute to understanding the key role that microbes play in controlling Earth's biogeochemistry? As a PhD candidate, you will explore the critical role of redox gradients in marine environments for the removal of toxic ammonium and the greenhouse gas methane. You will be part of an interdisciplinary project involving a larger team of biogeochemists and microbiologists. The results of your PhD work will be expected to impact a wide range of research fields.

Coastal ecosystems are changing dramatically due to human activities. Increased nutrient loads and climate change contribute to frequent seasonal hypoxia in many coastal waters leading to release of ammonium and greenhouse gases. In the ERC Synergy project MARIX, we aim to discover new geochemical pathways for the removal of methane and ammonium. The MARIX project combines sea-based fieldwork with laboratory experiments and reactive transport modelling. You will focus on geochemical sediment processes in a range of field work areas including the Netherlands and Sweden.

A key goal will be to increase the understanding of processes leading to the anaerobic removal of methane and ammonium coupled to reduction of iron oxides and interactions between the nitrogen, methane and iron cycles. The MARIX team and collaborating research groups currently consist of several PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers and complementary staff members. Your teaching load may be up to 10% of your working time.

We have in total 2 positions available with a focus on biogeochemistry.

• You hold an MSc degree in earth or chemical life sciences (biogeochemistry, geomicrobiology or environmental chemistry).
• You have good communication skills and are able to operate in a dynamic international research team.
• You have a good command of written and spoken English.
• You are willing and able to develop yourself into an independent scientist (growth mindset).
• Knowledge of geochemical methods is essential. Experience in quantitative modelling is helpful, but not a requirement.
• Experience in fieldwork would be an advantage.

Fixed-term contract: you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).

• It concerns an employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,541 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,247 in the fourth year (salary scale P). 
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The Microbiology cluster is world-leading in environmental microbiology and has won many prestigious awards including three ERC Advanced Grants, an ERC Synergy Grant, a Spinoza Prize and two Gravitation Grants. The cluster was recently expanded with a research group focusing on geomicrobiology and biogeochemistry and is part of the Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Sciences (RIBES), Faculty of Science, Radboud University.

We offer a dynamic research environment with a strong international profile, state-of-the-art laboratory infrastructure, strong national and international collaborations, and the possibility to further develop both scientifically and professionally with a large variety of courses, training opportunities and conferences. Radboud University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities.