[Coral-List] PhD position: Denitrification in coral holobionts

[Arjen Tilstra]

Dear all,

please find below the announcement for a PhD position in coral reef ecology
/ biogeochemistry / microbiology with the Marine Ecology group at the
University of Bremen, Germany.

Find all requirements in the announcement below. Questions about the
position can be directed at Dr. Arjen Tilstra (tilstra at uni-bremen.de).

Please feel free to pass the announcement to potentially interested parties.

Cheers,

Arjen Tilstra

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ANNOUNCEMENT:

Ph.D. position – Denitrification in coral holobionts


The Marine Ecology Group at University of Bremen has a vacancy for a Ph.D.
student within the framework of the new project *Coral holobiont
functioning under environmental change: Determining the drivers of
coral-associated denitrification (DECODE)* funded by the German Research
Foundation (DFG).



*Project description:*

The coral associated microbiome plays an important role in the cycling of
nitrogen (N), a limiting nutrient in highly productive tropical coral
reefs, within the coral holobiont. On the one hand, bioavailable N can be
provided through fixation of atmospheric dinitrogen (N2), while on the
other hand N can be potentially alleviated from the coral holobiont through
denitrification. N2 fixation by diazotrophs is highly susceptible to shifts
in environmental conditions (e.g. ocean warming and organic
eutrophication), while the effects on denitrification are so far unknown.
Very recent research suggests that these two key N-cycling processes occur
simultaneously in coral holobionts. Both processes likely share a common
energy source within the holobiont, i.e. photosynthates released from the
zooxanthellae. Based on the available evidence, we hypothesize that a
stable coral holobiont is characterized by a balance between denitrifiers,
diazotrophs and zooxanthellae. A deviation from this balance can lead to an
interruption of N limitation for the zooxanthellae, which may ultimately
lead to reduced coral holobiont health. The proposed project DECODE
(*De*termining
the drivers of *co*ral-associated *de*nitrification), combines field
studies in seasonal resolution and manipulative laboratory experiments. We
will assess the effects of biotic and abiotic key parameters that drive
denitrification in coral holobionts and their effects on the coral
microbiome. Thereby, we apply a holistic and interdisciplinary approach at
the interface between animal physiology, microbial ecology, and
biogeochemistry. The successful candidate will be supervised by Prof. Dr.
Christian Wild and Dr. Arjen Tilstra. *The appointment is for a three-year
period. Salary will be according to the German TV-L 13 for a 50 % position.
Envisioned starting date is July or August 2021. *



*Requirements:*

Applicants should hold a Master degree in marine biology, microbial
ecology, or related fields before the intended starting date. They should
speak fluent English and possess good scientific writing and time
management skills. Expertise in molecular, physiological, and
biogeochemical tools and coral husbandry is an asset.



*Application:*

To apply, please send a short motivation letter (max. 1 A4) and a complete
CV with list of publications and skills along with names of two referees
(with email addresses and phone numbers) in a single pdf-file to
tilstra at uni-bremen.de. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.



*Closing Date:*
April 4, 2021 or until a qualified candidate is identified.