[Coral-List] Ph.D. opportunities at the Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT), Germany – All nationalities eligible

[Maggy Nugues]

Dear Listers,

Applications are invited for 2 Ph.D. positions at the Leibniz Center for 
Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT) (www.zmt-bremen.de) in Bremen, Germany in 
the field ecology of coral reefs. These positions are within the 
framework of the research project FORCE “Future of Reefs in a Changing 
Environment” funded by the European Union. FORCE partners an 
inter-disciplinary team of researchers from Europe and the Caribbean to 
enhance the scientific basis for managing coral reefs in an era of rapid 
climate change and unprecedented human pressure on coastal resources.

1) Role of benthic algae in coral reef recovery processes: Research will 
involve field and laboratory experiments with coral larvae to study the 
effects of benthic algae on coral early life stages, including larval 
behavior, larval settlement and survival, as well as field studies on 
benthic algal dynamics, and settlement and post-settlement mortality of 
corals. Outcomes will be incorporated within an ecological model 
developed by other FORCE partners. The research will involve 
interactions with field ecologists, marine botanists and ecosystem 
modellers, and will be performed in close collaboration with the Marine 
Botany group at the University of Bremen (www.uni-bremen.de), the 
Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation CARMABI in Curaçao 
(www.carmabi.org), and partners within the FORCE project.

2) Ecology of benthic cyanobacterial mats on coral reefs: Work will 
involve field surveys to characterize the spatio-temporal dynamics of 
benthic cyanobacterial blooms in relation to biotic and abiotic 
parameters in the environment, as well as field and laboratory 
experiments to investigate the controlling factors of these blooms. The 
study will involve a variety of experimental and state-of-the-art 
analytical techniques for community-, functional- and geochemical 
analyses. The work will be multidisciplinary, involving biology, 
microbiology and biogeochemistry. The research will be performed in 
close collaboration with the Microsensor Research group of the 
Max-Planck-Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen 
(www.mpi-bremen.de), the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences MARUM 
(www.marum.de), the Marine Geology Department at the Royal Netherlands 
Institute for Sea Research in Texel (www.nioz.nl), and partners within 
the FORCE project.

The field location for both positions will be Curaçao, Netherlands 
Antilles. Both appointments are for a 3 year period starting April 2010 
(negotiable).

Requirements: Applicants of any nationality are eligible to apply for 
these positions. Applicants should hold a Master or Diploma degree in 
marine biology (position 1) or in biology (position 2). Experience in 
coral reef ecology, marine botany and scientific diving will be 
important assets for position 1. A background in microbial ecology with 
an interest in biogeochemistry and experience in coral reef ecology are 
desirable for position 2. Diving certification and good skills in 
English are essential for both positions. The candidates should be 
prepared to make long-term stays on Curaçao, and have good communication 
skills to integrate efficiently into an interdisciplinary research team.

Applications should be received by February 15th 2010, including a short 
outline of research interests and experience, a complete CV and names 
with email addresses and phone numbers of two referees by email in a 
single pdf-file to the address below. Only short-listed candidates will 
be notified. ZMT is an equal opportunity employer. Disabled persons with 
comparable qualification receive preferential status. Please feel free 
to get in touch if you have questions.

Sincerely,
Maggy

-- 
Dr. Maggy Nugues
Leibniz Center for Tropical Marine Ecology (ZMT)
Fahrenheitstr. 6
D-28359 Bremen
Germany
tel: +49-421-2380025, fax: +49-421-2380030
e-mail: maggy.nugues at zmt-bremen.de, skype: maggy.nugues
www.zmt-bremen.de

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Leibniz-Zentrum für Marine Tropenökologie (ZMT) GmbH
Fahrenheitstraße 6
28359 Bremen
Tel. +49(0)421 238 00-0
Fax +49(0)421 238 00-30
www.zmt-bremen.de

Sitz der Gesellschaft: Bremen, Deutschland
Registergericht: Amtsgericht Bremen
Handelsregister Nr. HRB 25746 HB; Steuer-Nr. 71/607/12036; USt.-IdNr. DE 266278207
Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates: Dr. Walter Dörhage
Geschäftsführer: Prof. Dr. Venugopalan Ittekkot

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