Doctoral researcher (m/f/d) Metalloenzymes in the nutrient metabolism of marine phytoplankton

Project Description

Photosynthetic microorganisms in the oceans drive biogeochemical cycles, sustain the aquatic food web, and regulate climate through carbon cycling. However, the health and productivity of these microbes is under threat by disturbances in their marine environment. For example, shortages of the essential nutrient phosphorus have increased during the last decade, and are predicted to worsen in the future. To cope with phosphorus scarcity, marine phytoplankton produce metal-dependent enzymes to fulfill their nutritional requirements from alternative phosphorus sources. Therefore, understanding the biochemical mechanisms of these metalloenzymes in microbial nutrient metabolism is key to predicting marine productivity under global change and to illuminating the future of our global earth system.
The advertised doctoral project will contribute to this research question by a) investigating the growth of marine phytoplankton under different nutrient availabilities, including phosphorus and trace metals; b) studying the molecular mechanisms of microbial metalloenzymes, including cofactors, substrates, and kinetics; and c) integrating these results into global processes using (meta)proteomics and metallomics in the laboratory and environment.
This doctoral position will be part of the research group “Metalloenzymes” led by Dr. Viktoria Steck, funded by the DFG under the Emmy Noether grant “Coupled Phosphorus and Manganese Controls on Ocean Ecosystem Fertility”. The candidate will be working in close collaboration with the PI, the team members of the research unit Chemical Oceanography, and other researchers at GEOMAR and at international partner universities. Enrollment into the FYORD program (Foster Young Ocean Researcher Development) offers doctoral career development opportunities as well as interdisciplinary networking with over 100 peers and professionals within the center “Kiel Marine Sciences” including Christian Albrechts University.

The position is available for a funding period of 36 months. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class E 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. The position is planned as 75 % of a full-time equivalent and can not be split.

GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel seeks to increase the proportion of female scientists and explicitly encourages qualified female academics to apply. GEOMAR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages scientists with disabilities to apply. Qualified disabled applicants will receive preference in the application process.