Postdoc, two years, in environmental microbiology focusing on mercury

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We are seeking a postdoc for a research project regarding the cycling of mercury in coastal seas with oxygen depletion.

We are looking for you with high ambitions who are attracted by the challenge of identifying the mechanisms that govern the formation and bioaccumulation of methylmercury in marine environments with pelagic redoxclines. Apply no later than January 28, 2019.

Project description and tasks You will study the processes of formation and bioaccumulation of methylmercury in coastal seas subject to oxygen depletion. Your work will focus on studies of how the microbial communities that produce methylmercury and the molecular composition of organic material change across pelagic redoxclines. The studies will be conducted in the Baltic Sea, but the results from the project will be applicable to many coastal and marine ecosystems.

Neurotoxic methylmercury accumulates in aquatic biota and mercury is classified as one of the ten chemicals posing the greatest threat to global public health. Oxygen depletion is increasing in coastal seas and in the world's oceans and is one of the most serious environmental changes caused by human impact. During oxygen depletion, redox stratification and pelagic redoxclines can form in the water column. Our mechanistic understanding of how redoxclines affect methylmercury formation, fluxes, and accumulation in biota is currently deficient. In this project, you will be part of a research team where we combine key competencies in biogeochemistry and molecular microbiology and use newly developed methods based on the very latest technology to clarify these unanswered and important questions.

You will perform field sampling in the Baltic Sea and sample processing, analysis, and data interpretation to determine (i) the distribution and expression of genes for mercury methylation in different microbial groups, and (ii) the molecular composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM). The distribution of hgcA and associated genes for mercury methylation will be described with parallel quantitative metagenome and metatranscriptome analysis. The molecular composition of DOM will be characterized using FTICR-MS and/or Py-GCMS techniques. The presence of the central electron acceptors Fe(III) and SO42- will also be analyzed. Processing of metagenome and metatranscriptome samples will be carried out in close collaboration with project partners at Uppsala universitet and at Linnéuniversitetet.

The main tasks consist of (i) continuously keeping yourself updated on the research field by following and compiling scientific literature, (ii) formulating scientific questions and hypotheses within the project, (iii) planning and conducting advanced field sampling, laboratory experiments, and model calculations, (iv) compiling and interpreting results, (v) presenting the results in the form of oral seminars (including at international scientific conferences) and in the form of scientific publications.

The postdoctoral position and the project are fully funded by the Swedish research council Formas (dnr 2018-01031). The project will be carried out in close collaboration with a postdoc in biogeochemistry as well as with a multi-disciplinary group of researchers in analytical chemistry, biogeochemistry, and microbial molecular biology at Umeå universitet (Docent Erik Björn), Stockholm universitet (Dr. Anne Soerensen), Uppsala universitet (Prof. Stefan Bertilsson), and Linnéuniversitetet (Prof. Jarone Pinhassi).

The employment is full-time and time-limited to two years, starting May 1, 2019, or by agreement that allows the postdoc to participate in field sampling during the summer of 2019.

Qualifications For eligibility, a doctoral degree is required, or a foreign degree assessed to correspond to a doctoral degree in molecular microbiology or another related subject within the biology and biotechnology field. The doctoral degree must have been awarded no more than three years before the end of the application period unless special reasons exist. Previous experience with molecular biology techniques is a requirement. Very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written, is required. You must be enthusiastic and determined, enjoy experimental work, be meticulous, and be able to work both independently and in a group. Documented experience in the following areas is meritorious: (1) Mercury biogeochemistry, (2) research focusing on aquatic ecosystems, (3) Mass spectrometry for analysis of organic material, (4) Bioinformatics.

Application A complete application, written in Swedish or English, must contain the following documents:

• A personal letter where you describe your qualifications, research interests, why you are applying for the position, and your contact information (max 2 pages)
• CV, including publication list
• Copy of doctoral thesis and any relevant publications (pdf)
• Certified copies of doctoral degree certificates or equivalent as well as other relevant degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses, grades obtained, and any other certificates
• Name and contact information for at least two references
• Other relevant documents you wish to invoke

You apply via our e-recruitment system. Log in and apply via the button at the bottom of the page. The last day of application is January 28, 2019.

Further information is provided by: docent Erik Björn, tel: 090-7865189, e-mail: erik.bjorn@umu.se professor Stefan Bertilsson, tel: 018-4712712, e-mail: stebe@ebc.uu.se professor Jarone Pinhassi, tel: 0480-446212, e-mail: jarone.pinhassi@lnu.se

Information about the department Kemiska institutionen is the largest department within the Teknisk-naturvetenskaplig fakultet and has approximately 200 employees. For more information, see: www.chemistry.umu.se

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