PhD position in plankton ecology (m/f/d); Aquatic Ecology

Background

Planktonic organisms are at the base of aquatic food webs and, while being crucial organisms for ecosystem functioning, they are particularly sensitive to environmental change. The impact global change has on planktonic organisms, may in turn alter ecosystem services such as nutrient turnover, provision of food to higher trophic levels, and carbon sequestration/export.

The goal of this doctoral project is to evaluate the combined influence of warming and dissolved nutrient concentrations on trophic interactions between zooplankton and their prey. Indeed, temperature affects metabolic rates, and thereby nutritional demands, whereas nutrient availability influences resource quality. Hence, we expect that environmental alterations may create nutritional mismatches in planktonic food webs. The doctoral student will address this topic by conducting experiments with planktonic organisms to assess the temperature conditions that may promote nutrient limitation in various zooplankton groups, and how nutritional mismatches impact food web interactions. This position is part of the PlanktoDYN project, which is co-led by Dr. Cédric Meunier (Alfred Wegener Insitute) and Prof. Herwig Stibor (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich), and which will support two doctoral students who are expected to work in close collaboration.

Tasks

• Conduct laboratory grazing experiments with microzooplankton and mesozooplankton; as well as marine mesocosm experiments with natural plankton communities. 
• Investigate how zooplankton demands for energy and nutrients change with temperature and its feedback on food web dynamics.
• Analyze long term adaptation of zooplankton at different temperatures.
• Evaluate complex datasets, and present research results to experts and non-experts (scientific journals, conferences, workshops)

Requirements

• Master degree (or equivalent) in Biology
• Strong background in Aquatic Ecology
• Working experience with plankton ecology including plankton culturing
• Strong team player skills
• Strong communication skills in English language written and oral

Further Information

For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Prof. Dr. Herwig Stibor (stibor@bio.lmu.de;  +4989218074207)

This position is limited to 3 years. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the German States (TV-L), up to salary level 13 (65%). The place of employment will be Munich.