[Coral-List] Open position: MSc Thesis / Diplomarbeit for Experienced Diver - Benthic Cyanobacteria in the Caribbean: A new challenge for coral reefs
Hannah Brocke
hannah.brocke at zmt-bremen.de
Tue Jul 5 12:06:18 EDT 2011
*Open position: _MSc Thesis / Diplomarbeit for Experienced Diver _-
Benthic Cyanobacteria in the Caribbean: A new challenge for coral reefs*__
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Coral reefs worldwide, and especially Caribbean reefs, are facing
numerous environmental and anthropogenic threats including
eutrophication, overfishing and rising sea temperature.
During the last years, dense mats of benthic cyanobacteria have become
more prevalent on coral reefs. Although benthic cyanobacterial mats have
always been a part of the ecosystem, the proliferation of these mats has
been associated with widespread signs of reef degradation. These fast
growing organisms colonize substrates, such as sediment, macroalgae and
corals, and impair coral recruitment. Their global development calls for
investigations on the factors determining their abundance on coral reefs.
Benthic cyanobacterial mats may be superior competitors, especially in
eutrophic conditions. To test this hypothesis, the project will
investigate the primary production and nutrient uptake of the mats and
other benthic groups under different nutrient regimes. The results will
then be incorporated in an ecological model to help reef management in
the Caribbean region. The research will be carried out as part of the EU
project FORCE (Future of Reefs in a Changing Environment,
www.force-project.eu <http://www.force-project.eu/>) and in joint
collaboration with several FORCE partners and the Max Planck Institute
for Marine Microbiology (MPI-MM).
Upon the delivery of a dedicated work, *co-authorship* in a publication
in a high ranking journal may be offered. A *field trip* to Curaçao,
Southern Caribbean, is scheduled for three months starting mid September
2011.
*_We are looking for_* a highly motivated student with an interest in
coral reef ecology and tropical marine microbiology. The applicant
should be an experienced diver, at least Advanced Open Water, and hold
preferably a boat license/ VHF Operator’s Certificate. The candidate
should be able to work independently as well as in a team. Physical
fitness is important as well as feeling comfortable working in and on
the water. Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential.
We invite you to apply for this project (CV, letter of motivation) and
take the opportunity to set a foot in the exciting fields of coral reef
ecology and marine microbiology, and to be part of our motivated
research team.
*Expected starting date: July/August 2011* (1 month preparation time / 3
month field trip / rest month sample processing and thesis writing).
Application deadline: As soon as a suitable candidate has been found.
To apply, please send a letter of motivation and CV in English to
hannah.brocke at zmt-bremen.de <mailto:hannah.brocke at zmt-bremen.de>
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