Doctoral Student

The Institute of Microbiology , Bacterial Physiology Group at the University of Greifswald is offering a PhD position (65% Research Assistant with pay group 13 TV-L Wissenschaft ) in the field of microbial ecology . The duration of this position is 36 months (with a possible extension). This position is part of the DFG (German Research Foundation) funded project:

\“Ecophysiology of peat ammonia-oxidizing archaea and their impact on nitrification and ecosystem functioning in fen peatlands\“

We are seeking a highly motivated doctoral candidate to investigate aerobic nitrification and its influence on ecosystem functioning in fen peatland soils under oxygen-limited conditions .

The research will focus on the isolation and characterization of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) from fen peatlands, as well as their interactions with other microorganisms involved in nitrogen cycling . A key objective is to determine whether AOA in terrestrial environments can produce oxygen and assess the implications of this process for ecosystem functions.

The project will employ microcosm-based cultivation approaches in both pure cultures and soil systems, integrating microscopy, FISH, qPCR, isotopomeres of N2O, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics. This interdisciplinary project will provide a comprehensive understanding of the ecophysiology, the distribution, and the networking of the globally abundant AOA in fen peatlands.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Haitao Wang , and will closely collaborate with our project partners, Prof. Tim Urich (University of Greifswald, Germany), Prof. Nicole Wrage-Mönnig (University of Rostock, Germany), and Prof. Christa Schleper (University of Vienna).

Key Responsibilities

1. Isolate and characterize the enriched AOA from fen peatlands
2. Conduct incubation experiments to assess AOA’s potential for oxygen production and interactions with other nitrifiers
3. Conduct microcosms to study the impact of AOA and their ecophysiology on peatland microbiomes and ecosystem functions, using meta’omic approaches.
4. Analyze and interpret the data, present results at international conferences, and publish in high-impact peer-reviewed journals

Requirements

1. Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Microbiology, Environmental Science, Ecology, or a related field
2. Experience with cultivation (and/or isolation) of microorganisms
3. Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g., PCR, qPCR, sequencing)
4. Excellent team and communication skills
5. Excellent English language skills (spoken & written)
6. Knowledge of programming languages (preferably R or Python)
7. Prior experience working with ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA)
8. Publication(s) in peer-reviewed journals

What We Offer

1. A fully funded PhD position in a highly interdisciplinary research environment
2. Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and fieldwork opportunities
3. Collaboration with leading international scientists in microbial ecology
4. A supportive and dynamic research team

How to Apply

To apply, please submit:

1. A cover letter detailing your research interests and qualifications
2. Your CV (including publications, if any)

Please send your application as a single PDF file to with the subject: \“25/Wi10 (Your Name)\“. The deadline is 11.04.2025 .

The expected starting time is 2025 May or the earliest possible date of the chosen candidate.

The University of Greifswald encourages applications from all individuals regardless of gender, background, or disability status. Severely disabled applicants with equivalent qualifications will be given preference.

We look forward to your application!

Dr. Haitao Wang

Institute of Microbiology

Center for Functional Genomics of Microbes

University of Greifswald

Germany

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