PhD offer to study the impacts of Extreme Climatic Events, such as heat-waves and wind storms, on shallow coastal areas, focusing on the impacts on the biological community and biogeochemical functioning of shallow bays and intertidal zones.

What?

We are looking for a motivated candidate to pursue a doctoral thesis in microbial ecology and biogeochemistry of oceanic ecosystems. The project will be supported by the EXTREME-FUN project (Effects of extreme climatic events on the biogeochemical functioning of shallow coastal areas: from the micro to the macroscale), which aims to quantify in an integrated manner the effect of heat waves and windstorms, affecting temperature and sediment resuspension conditions, on the biogeochemical functioning of a shallow coastal ecosystem.

The candidate will use a combination of laboratory experiments, field measurements and aerial data (satellite, drones…) to study the spatial and temporal variability of the microphytobenthos and its contribution to the primary production of the system and evaluate the effect of changes in external forcing by temperature and resuspension/hydrodynamics under normal and extreme conditions on microphytobenthos physiology, benthic pelagic coupling and carbon flux throughout the system.

When?

The PhD will start in April-May 2022 and will last 3 years, with the possibility of a 1-year extension.

Where?

The PhD will be developed in the Microbial Ecology and Biogeochemistry Group of the Department of Biology of the University of Cadiz, under the supervision of Sokratis Papaspyrou and Alfonso Corzo.

Requirements

• The candidate must have obtained a bachelor’s degree on Marine or Environmental Sciences, Biology or similar and a Master’s degree preferably also in the same topics.
• The candidates must be pre-registered in a Doctoral Program in Marine Science and Technology at the University of Cadiz (https://posgrado.uca.es/doctor/)
• Be highly motivated and committed to develop a scientific career.
• Have some experience on biogeochemistry, aquatic ecology, microbiology, remote sensing, environmental chemistry or similar.
• Have experience on scientific reading and writing.
• Have a high level of written and spoken English.

How to apply?

The Ministry has opened the call for applications from October 28 to November 11, 2021 on the website: https://sede.micinn.gob.es/ayudaspredoctorales/

Call: Ayudas para contratos predoctorales para la formación de doctores 2021

Applications

• Send the application electronically through the following application: https://sede.micinn.gob.es/ayudaspredoctorales/
• Project Reference: PID2020-112488RB-I00, “EFECTO DE LOS EVENTOS CLIMATICOS EXTREMOS SOBRE EL FUNCIONAMIENTO BIOGEOQUIMICO DE ZONAS SOMERAS COSTERAS: DE LA MICRO A LA MACROESCALA”
• Only a single application is allowed per candidate.
• Documentation to be attached:
  • documentation certifying pre-admission to the PhD Program 2022/23: application page.
    • In case of doubts: contact the doctoral school
  • Curriculum vitae, preferably using the template of the ministry: template
  • Academic certificate issued by the University where the Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees were obtained: the grades obtained and the date of graduation must appear. 
  • Copy of valid passport in case of foreign citizens.

Please send an email with your CV to sokratis.papaspyrou@uca.es before applying for the position.