PhD POSITION IN BIOGEOCHEMISTRY
We invite applicants for a four-year PhD position at the Department of Environmental Science, Biogeochemistry Research Group (University of Kuopio, Finland), to work within a project called “CryoN”. The project is part of a large European consortia organized by European Science Foundation (ESF)
The PhD project focuses on mechanisms underlying large N2O fluxes we found recently from cryoturbated peat soil in tundra ecosystem (Repo et al., 2009). Modern stable isotope tools (15N tracer and natural abundance studies) will be used to study the nitrogen turnover processes in soil including the gaseous nitrogen production and emissions into the atmosphere. A key topic is to identify the microbial processes responsible for the N2O/N2 production. The field work of the project will be conducted in Russian tundra (near Vorkuta). Field and laboratory experiments on the biotic and abiotic factors controlling the N2O dynamics coupled to organic matter decomposition are included. The study will be conducted in collaboration with scientists from the UK and Austria including the scientists in the consortia mentioned above.
Requirements: MSc in biology, environmental science, soil ecology, microbiology, biogeochemistry, atmospheric science or comparable; willingness to participate in arctic field expeditions; documented experience with stable isotopes is a special merit; fluent English language skills are required.
We offer 4-years salary starting e.g from the beginning of February 2010, an international research team, mobility and career possibility, as well as opportunities to attend training courses, exchange visits and meetings.
Please send your complete application to PhD Christina Biasi (christina.biasi@uku.fi) including a CV with possible publications and letter of motivation until 31th of December 2009. For more information please contact PhD Christina Biasi (christina.biasi@uku.fi) or Prof. Pertti Martikainen (pertti.martikainen@uku.fi) or visit our homepage http://www.uku.fi/biogeochemistry/
Repo M., Susiluoto S., Lind S.E., Jokinen S., Elsakov V., Biasi C., Virtanen T., and Martikainen P.J. (2009). Large N2O Emissions Found from Cryoturbated Peat Soil in Tundra. Nature Geoscience 2, 189-192. DOI:10.1038/NGEO434
