Grade: NERC-6 (£26450-£29710) - Full Time
Location: NERC - NOC Southampton
Closing date: Friday, March 22, 2013
Reference: IRC62870
We are seeking a Bacterioplankton Biogeochemist with experience and interest in microbial ecology, biogeochemistry, microbiology, molecular biology and tracer chemistry, willing to participate in several research cruises.
Description of the research project: The central aim of the proposal is to elucidate the importance of photoheterotrophy in the open ocean – the Earth’s largest ecosystem, which profoundly affects global biogeochemistry and climate. Photoheterotrophic prokaryotes use light for energy but cannot use carbon dioxide as their sole carbon source and consequently use organic molecules from the environment to satisfy their carbon requirements. This project proposes to test a hypothesis that alphaproteobacteria and Prochlorococcus cyanobacteria numerically dominate the open ocean because of their photoheterotrophy. The proposed research work, which will include both laboratory and ocean cruise experiments, will combine isotopic tracer nutrient bioassays with flow cytometric sorting of bacterio-plankton cells followed by ultra-sensitive radioassaying in conjunction with molecular identification of prokaryotic cells by fluorescence in situ hybridisation. The work will bring together laboratory experimentation with field research on transatlantic cruises.
The multidisciplinary team of investigators, carrying out world-class science, will provide in-depth training and supervision for the successful candidate in all the specific and unique techniques required for the project and will encourage further method development. The three year position at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton is supported by funding from Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK.
For general enquiries regarding this post, please contact one of the investigators - Prof Mike Zubkov: (mvz@noc.ac.uk), Dr Adrian Martin (adrian.martin@noc.ac.uk) or Prof David Scanlan (D.J.Scanlan@warwick.ac.uk).
The appointment is offered on a Fixed Term Contract basis for three years on NERC terms and conditions. The salary will be in the range of £26,450 to £29,710 per annum.
NERC provides benefits that include a RCUK pension scheme and a generous leave scheme offering up to 30 days leave and a further 10.5 Public/privilege days. Opportunities for further training and development are supported.
