PhD in innovative stable isotope measurements of methane and its precursors

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing its emissions is essential to meet Paris Agreement goals. Future emissions from ecosystems depend on their environmental response. Tracking methane cycling—balancing production vs. consumption and tracing carbon substrate sources—remains challenging. We will integrate methane clumped-isotope analysis with carbon and hydrogen isotope measurements of key organics, plus culture experiments, to uncover the biochemical pathways and environmental controls on methane formation and oxidation.

Your job
This work will enhance our understanding of methane dynamics in rapidly changing ecosystems and contribute to improving predictive models of future methane emissions. Field sampling will focus on regions where methane cycling is still poorly constrained, particularly Arctic permafrost coasts.

As a PhD candidate, you will become an expert in isotope ratio mass spectrometry, methane microbiology and methane cycling in the environment.

1) You will develop innovative methods to measure diverse isotope dimensions for methane, as well as organic precursors, in order to trace carbon flow in methane-related ecosystems;
2) You will conduct culture experiments in controlled conditions aiming at simulating natural environments;
3) You will participate in arctic campaigns and use the methods developed to shed light on methane cycling in permafrost regions.

You have completed a Master degree physics, chemistry or another area related to environmental sciences with a strong quantitative mathematical background and practical technical skills. You already have good background knowledge on atmospheric composition and greenhouse gas cycles and experience with isotope measurements. Next to this you find yourself in one or multiple of the following characteristics:

• You like working hands-on with scientific instruments in a laboratory, as well as with wet chemistry and microbial culture experiments;
• You are interested in participating in measurement campaigns with diverse teams;
• You have a keen interest in microbes-environment interactions and their evolution in space and time;
• You are interested in environmental processes and climate change, and want your work to contribute to deepening our understanding of the present and future carbon cycle;
• You are a good team player and can find your position in a larger consortium, but are also self-motivated to take over increasing levels of responsibility for your project;
• You enjoy interdisciplinary projects, have an open mind, enthusiasm, curiosity and creative thinking.

• A PhD position for 4 years. After 18 months there will be a review, if positive, the contract will be extended for the full 4 years;
• a fulltime working week and a gross monthly salary between € 3.059 and € 3.881 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employmentlaid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

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