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SP4 - Two PhD positions to study the oak microbiome
PhD position at UFZ Halle (Germany)
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.
Project description
The plant microbiome, i.e. the community of associated microorganisms, plays a crucial role for mutual acclimation to environmental changes and the subsequent evolutionary adaptation (A&A). Beneficial microbes can enhance plant tolerance traits against stress, which reinforces shoot and root protection by modifying phytohormonal levels, antioxidant and enzyme production, osmotic adjustment or biofilm formation to increase water and nutrient uptake, gas exchange and water use efficiency. Since these findings were mainly retrieved from studies on crops or herbaceous plants, it remains little investigated how trees and their microbiomes react to environmental changes, including more frequent and intensified droughts and pathogenic pressures. Hence, this project aims to investigate, how oak-associated microorganisms respond to various environmental conditions and stresses. Considering the endogenous rhythmic growth and the modularity of the oak, the project intends to determine an oak core microbiome and characterize key stone taxa, which enhance resilience against the applied stressors. The project uses molecular sequencing tools to monitor bacteria and fungi associated with above- and belowground compartments of clonal oak saplings in an Ecotron and Tree Canopy Exposition Experiments, and along the PhytOakmeter field monitoring sites.
Your tasks
- Contribution to joint samplings in the three platforms of the Research Unit
- Preparation and DNA extraction of soil, root and leaf samples
- Accessing microbial communities using molecular tools and high-throughput sequencing techniques
- Bioinformatical and statistical downstream processing of the sequencing data
- Presenting and publishing of results on international conferences and in international journals
We offer
- Excellent technical facilities which are without parallel
- The freedom you need to bridge the difficult gap between basic research and close to being ready for application
- Work in inter-disciplinary, multinational teams
- Excellent links with national and international research networks
- Excellent support and optimal subject-specific and general training with our HIGRADE graduate school
Your profile
- A scientific University degree (Diploma/ M.Sc.) in biology, microbiology, ecology, bioinformatics, or related fields of science
- Highly motivated and team-oriented
- Broad interest in plant-associated microbial communities
- Good statistical (preferable with R) and analysis skills
- Very good oral and written communication skills in English
- Travel availability
- Driving licence B
How to apply
Apply now
PhD position at UMR Marburg (Germany)
The Philipps-Universität Marburg, Prof. Dr. Robert Junker and Prof. Dr. Anke Becker will be accepting applications for a PhD position. The position will be offered for a period of 4 years. More details e.g. with regards to the formal application procedure and the starting date will be announced shortly.
Project description
The position is embedded in the SP4 project 'Cross talk between environmental conditions, oak tree performance, and the microbiomes of their soil, endo- and phyllosphere' of the DFG-SNF funded Research Unit “PhytOakmeter - Using clonal oak phytometers to unravel acclimation and adaptation mechanisms of long-lived forest tree holobionts to ecological variations and climate change”.
More details about the PhD project will be announced shortly.
Your profile
Profile requirements will be announced shortly.
