PhDProjectinMicrobialMolecularEcology
The research group for Microbial Molecular Ecology in the Geomicrobiology department at the University of
TübingenislookingforaPhDstudent(EnvironmentalMicrobiologist,MolecularEcologist)whowillworkon:
‘Metabolicsurvivalstrategiesofiron(II)-oxidizingbacteria
underdenitrifyingconditions‘
Iron (Fe) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth and an essential
nutrient for microorganisms. Reduced Fe(II) is furthermore used as electron
donor by Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. Under circumneutral pH conditions, Fe(II)oxidizing bacteria use either oxygen (microaerophilic) or nitrate (nitratereducing)aselectronacceptorsorlight(photoferrotrophic)asenergysourceto
oxidize Fe(II). Despite the relevance of Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria in Fe-rich
environments,themetabolicpathway,physiology,andgenesinvolvedinFe(II)
oxidationremainlargelyunknown.
This project will focus on the nitrate-reducing, Fe(II)-oxidizing enrichment culture “KS”, which was obtained
from a freshwater pond in Bremen, Germany, and maintained under autotrophic conditions. In particular,
innovative cultivation techniques (e.g. the application of laser tweezers) in combination with anaerobic and
microaerophilic strategies will be applied to isolate the Fe(II) oxidizer from culture KS. In addition, omics
techniques(e.g.metagenomics,metatranscriptomics,metaproteomics)intandemwithstable-isotopeprobing
will be used to identify genes and enzymes involved in Fe(II) oxidation and nitrate reduction as well as to
unravelthemetabolismofFe(II)oxidation.Omicsdatasetswillfurthermorebeusedtoidentifypotentialgenes
involvedinFe(II)oxidationthatcanbeusedastargetsformolecularassays,e.g.quantitativePCR.
WeareofferingaPhDpositioninaninterdisciplinary,international,anddynamicteamofmolecularecologists,
microbiologists,geochemistsandgeoscientists.Thispositionprovidesanopportunityforthecandidatetobe
creativeandinnovative,andtoworkonachallenging,multidisciplinarytopic.Idealcandidatesshouldhavea
solid background in molecular ecology and environmental microbiology.Applicantsmusthavetheabilityto
workindependentandinateam,haveexcellentmanagementandcommunicationskillsandshouldbehighly
motivated and committed to pursuing interdisciplinary research. Very good computer and language skills
(English) are necessary. The candidate will have the opportunity to present his/her results in international
journalsandatconferences.
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The starting date is October 1 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter. The project is part of the “Research
Training Group 1708 (GRK1708): Molecular Principles of Bacterial Survival Strategies”, supported by the
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. The employment (TVL E13, 50%, 3years) will be arranged by the
administrationoftheUniversityofTübingen.Disabledpersonswillbepreferredincaseofequalqualification.
Applications including CV, motivation letter, overview of techniques and methods used in the past, and
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contactaddressoftworefereesshouldbesendbyemailbeforeJuly24 2016to:
Dr. Sara Kleindienst, Microbial Molecular Ecology Group, Geomicrobiology, Center for Applied Geosciences,
UniversityofTübingen,Hölderlinstr.12,D-72074Tübingen,Germany,Phone:+49-7071-2974701
Email:[email protected]
Moreinformationcanbefoundonthewebsite:
http://www.geo.uni-tuebingen.de/arbeitsgruppen/angewandtegeowissenschaften/forschungsbereich/geomikrobiologie/members/sara-kleindienst.html