PhD position: Marine phytoplankton - virus interactions and species competition - NIOO-KNAW

What you will be doing

Despite their minute size, marine phytoplankton are vital for marine ecosystem productivity and play a key role in global carbon and nutrient cycling. However, like all life on Earth, phytoplankton are susceptible to viral infections. Viral-induced mortality (viral lysis) of phytoplankton cells redirects the flow of energy and elements with expected far-reaching consequences for ocean ecosystem structure and functioning. Still, phytoplankton viral lysis rates are poorly constrained, to what extent viral infections affect phytoplankton host stoichiometry and functional traits as well as how this is influenced by (global climate change-induced) environmental stressors is understudied, and a comprehensive understanding of the geographical distribution of virus and phytoplankton host traits is lacking. Moreover, virus-host dynamics in global ecosystem and biogeochemical models is are generally poorly addressed. Only by integration of complementary expertise, ranging from viral ecology, phytoplankton ecophysiology, molecular biology, and biological oceanography, to large scale bioinformatic data analysis and mathematical modelling, can we effectively bridge the knowledge gaps that limit our current understanding and predictive power of how viral infections impact phytoplankton communities and associated biogeochemical fluxes.

This PhD position is part of the NWO funded PHYVIR project, which aims to elucidate marine phytoplankton-virus interactions from local to global scales. It focuses on five interlinked objectives, related to the above mentioned knowledge gaps. The research spans from genetic analysis and controlled experiments to oceanic expeditions and global ecosystem models. The project consists of 5 PhD and 2 Postdoc positions and is led by Prof. Corina Brussaard (NIOZ, coordinator), Prof. Jef Huisman (University of Amsterdam), Prof. Dedmer van de Waal (NIOO), Dr. Susanne Wilken (University of Amsterdam) and Dr. Thomas Hackl (University Groningen).

What you will be contributing

As PhD candidate for PHYVIR’s subproject-2 you will contribute to improving our understanding of the interplay between viruses and their phytoplankton hosts. Specifically, this project aims to determine to what extent viral infection affects the functional traits and stoichiometry of infected phytoplankton host, and what the implications are for phytoplankton competition. You will run chemostat experiments to establish competitive traits such as nutrient uptake kinetics and elemental stoichiometry of various phytoplankton species under nitrogen and phosphorus limitation and establish how this is impacted by virus infections and warming. This will inform competition outcomes that will be tested in follow-up experiments on multiple phytoplankton hosts and their viruses.

There will be close collaboration with the other PhDs and PD-1 on phytoplankton functional traits, competition and omics, and to discuss and provide input for the project’s mechanistic model. You are expected to actively exchange ideas and results within the larger PHYVIR team, join the project’s two scientific cruises, supervise MSc students who wish to do an internship on marine phytoplankton virus ecology, and contribute to some of the project’s outreach activities.

Under the guidance of your supervisors, you will develop a PhD thesis plan, prepare and perform the research, analyze the samples and data, present your results at meetings and scientific conferences, and publish your results in international scientific journals. You aim to complete your PhD thesis within the official appointment duration of four years.

Further training and courses during the PhD trajectory will be offered by NIOO-KNAW, and via the Graduate School for Production Ecology & Resource Conservation (PE&RC).

Job requirements

We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated candidate, with a keen interest in marine viral ecology and phytoplankton host-virus interactions. You enjoy experimental research, are well-organized, have a collaborative personality but are also able to work independently.

• An MSc degree in marine microbiology / ecology, or closely related discipline
• Affinity and preferably experience with experimental research, culturing microorganisms, chemostats, basic virology, phytoplankton ecophysiology, and/or field research. Please note that we do not expect that candidates master all techniques from the start but consider previous experience with one or more of the listed techniques as an advantage.
• A demonstrated ability to work with programming software such as R, Python or Matlab.
• Professional working proficiency in English, including scientific writing.

What we are offering

An open and respectful research environment with ample opportunities for personal development through training programs and courses.

Your workplace

You will be working in the Aquatic Ecology department of the Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), located in Wageningen, the Netherlands, with daily supervision by Prof. Dedmer van de Waal and with Prof. Jef Huisman (University of Amsterdam), Prof. Corina Brussaard (Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research), and Dr. Susanne Wilken as co-supervisors.

For more information

Please contact: Dedmer van de Waal, d.vandewaal@nioo.knaw.nl, +31(0)317 473 553.

Applications

The application procedure will involve one online interview scheduled on Thursday 19 June, followed by in-person interviews with selected candidates scheduled on Friday 11 July. 

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically via the indicated button (“Sollicteer nu”). In your applications, please include a cover letter indicating your motivation and relevant experience, a CV, and 1-3 professional referees (name, address, telephone & email).

About NIOO
The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO) is a national research institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW). At NIOO we perform ecological research on biodiversity, climate change and sustainable use of land and water. We stimulate ecological research in the Netherlands and share our ecological knowledge with society. Everyone in our organisation is passionate about contributing to a sustainable world from their own area of expertise.

Terms of employment
Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is €2.901 and the maximum salary is €3.707 gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale P 

cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).  

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Applying for a Certificate of Good Conduct can be part of the employment procedure.

Diversity & Inclusion
The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.