Research Assistant / Doctoral researcher in Hydrogeology , EG 13 TV-H, Hydrogeology Research Group, Institute for Water, Waste, Environment (IWAU) bei Universität Kassel

Research Assistant / Doctoral researcher in Hydrogeology (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, Hydrogeology Research Group, Institute for Water, Waste, Environment (IWAU) bei Universität Kassel

Universität Kassel

The University of Kassel is a modern and growing University with round about 23.000 students. The university’s wide range of expertise covers subjects in the natural, applied, cultural and social sciences.

University of Kassel, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Institute for Water, Waste, Environment (IWAU) – Hydrogeology Research Group

Research Assistant / Doctoral researcher in Hydrogeology (m/w/d), EG 13 TV-H, fixed-term contract (30 hours per week)

Closes:

30.06.2023

Date of Hire:

01.09.2023

Reference:

36209

This is a part-time position with 75 percent of the working hours of a full-time employee. This is a fixed term-position of three years with the opportunity of obtaining a doctoral degree in the field of environmental engineering (position for academic qualification corresponding to § 65 HessHG i. V. m. § 2 Abs. 1 Satz 1 WissZeitVG).

Microbial biomass (e.g. bacteria) that populates the subsurface is a vital component in elemental, nutrient and contaminant turnover in the environment, catalyzing turnover reactions and, effectively, biodegrading solutes of potential environmental concern. Monitoring their behavior in the subsurface is key to improving our understanding of turnover reactions. Measuring microbes, however, is not straightforward and traditional approaches are limited by the poor accessibility of the subsurface. Spectral induced polarization (SIP) has gained recent traction because of its potential to monitor microbes within the complex environments they inhabit, for example soils and groundwater, and at a much greater spatial and temporal resolution. However, open questions regarding the exact mechanisms that drive the signals stemming from microbial growth and activity remain unanswered, hindering the method’s application outside of the field of applied geophysics.

We invite applicants for a PhD position in the Hydrogeology Research Group at the University of Kassel (Germany). The project aims at further developing geo-electrical / geophysical approaches to monitor the growth and activity of subsurface microbes.

Tasks:

The successful candidate will focus on designing and performing targeted batch and flow-through experiments that aim to isolate the SIP signal of bacterial cells from parallel contributing mechanisms. The experiments will quantify the signals of bacterial cells at various metabolic states, ranging from present and inactive, to active and growing. The student will combine geophysical (SIP) measurements with microbial and molecular approaches to quantify cell density and dynamic metabolic activity. The ultimate project goal is to fine-tune the applicability of the SIP method, as a non-invasive monitoring tool that can make the jump between a ‘promising tool’ showcased by geophysicists to a robust geophysical method applied by biogeochemists, (geo)microbiologists and hydro(geo)logists.

Requirements:

Applicants must hold an M.Sc. degree in a biogeoscience, environmental engineering, or an equivalent discipline. (the degree required for this position must have been obtained by the starting date at the latest). Very good knowledge of English is required.

Applicants are requested to submit a single PDF file containing:
(1) Your motivation for applying to the position and your research interests (max. 1 page, written in English)
(2) Curriculum vitae (written in English)
(3) Copy of transcript(s)

Advantageous:

The ideal candidate should have an in-depth understanding of biogeochemistry and microbial ecology and environmental physics. Preference will be given to candidates with demonstrated skills and experience in experimental work.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Adrian Mellage, adrian.mellage(at)uni-kassel.de.

Our offer:
As an employee of the University of Kassel

you will be offered an interesting and diverse range of tasks within the framework of a modern and ambitious university,
you will be part of an interdisciplinary team with a good and collegial working atmosphere,
you will have the opportunity to participate in professional and interdisciplinary further education measures,
your workplace is centrally located in the city of Kassel with good public transport connections, which you can currently use for free.

In addition, you will benefit from the advantages of employment in the public service such as: