Postdoc Position Postdoc Position Postdoc Position - Brandenburg.de

Within the scope of the joint research project
Toxic Nostocales (cyanobacteria) in the course of declining trophic state
and global warming
pending approval of funding the following positions are available
at the
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Limnology of
Stratified Lakes, Molecular Ecology, 16775 Stechlin-Neuglobsow, Germany (IGB)
and the
Brandenburg University of Technology, Department of Freshwater Conservation,
15526 Bad Saarow, Germany (BTU)
Postdoc Position
Modelling of cyanobacteria population dynamics
Ref.-N°: 02/07
Objectives: Development of mathematical models to simulate the dynamics of invasive and native
cyanobacteria populations and toxin concentrations and to analyse observations in order to generate
hypotheses on regulation processes under conditions of declining trophic state and rising water
temperatures in lakes.
Requirements: PhD in the field of aquatic ecology or related disciplines, experience in numerical
modelling (e.g. with MATLAB or MODELMAKER) and knowledge of programming languages (e.g. C++).
Experience in multivariate statistics is desirable.
Work site: IGB
Postdoc Position
Molecular characterization of cyanobacteria
Ref.-N°: 03/07
Objectives: To genetically characterise strains of different Nostocales, to analyse the phylogenetic
relationships between strains from different geographic and climate regions as well as between different
chemotypes, and to develop molecular detection methods for different species and chemotypes.
Requirements: PhD in biology or related disciplines, experience in molecular techniques, and experience
in aquatic ecology and cyanobacteria taxonomy and phylogeny.
Work site: IGB
Postdoc Position
Phytoplankton ecology and statistics
Ref.-N°: 04/07
Objectives: To analyse phytoplankton succession as related to abiotic and biotic influences, to study and
analyse phytoplankton growth and loss processes based on field observations, trophic changes and
phytoplankton responses, and to conduct statistical analyses of long-term field and laboratory data.
Requirements: PhD in aquatic ecology or related disciplines, experience in field and laboratory research,
statistical data analyses, and handling of large databases.
Work site: BTU

PhD Position
Ecophysiology of invasive and native cyanobacteria
Ref.-N°: 05/07
Objectives: To determine the potential of different Nostocales species to respond to changes in
temperature, light intensity and CO2 concentration in laboratory and field experiments, to analyse the
competitiveness of invasive species, and to determine the causes of their invasion (climate change or
ecotype selection) and their invasion potential.
Requirements: German “Diplom” or masters degree in biology or related disciplines, experience in
aquatic ecology, ecophysiology of cyanobacteria, culturing methods, and field research.
Work site: IGB
PhD Position
Population dynamics and lifecycle of Nostocales
Ref.-N°: 06/07
Objectives: To analyse regulatory mechanisms of population dynamics of different Nostocales species
with a special focus on their lifecycle (akinete production, survival and germination) in field surveys and
laboratory experiments. Hypotheses drawn from field observations and laboratory experiments will be
tested in mesocosm experiments in close collaboration with the PhD researcher working on
cyanobacteria ecophysiology.
Requirements: German “Diplom” or masters degree in biology or related disciplines, experience in
aquatic ecology, ecophysiology of cyanobacteria, culturing methods, and field research.
Work site: BTU
Aquatic Microbiology Technician
Cyanobacteria culturing
Ref.-N°: 07/07
Objectives: To isolate cyanobacteria strains, maintain a culture collection, and assist in culture
experiments and microscopic, chemical and molecular analyses of the strains.
Requirements: Experience in culturing methods, cyanobacteria taxonomy, microscopy, nutrient
chemistry, and extraction of organic compounds.
Work site: IGB
For more information, please contact:
Prof. Dr. Brigitte Nixdorf, (e-mail: b.nixdorf@t-online.de, phone: +49 (0)33631-8943) or
Dr. Claudia Wiedner (e-mail: c.wiedner@igb-berlin.de, phone: +49 (0)33082-69965)
Concerning all positions:
All positions are for a period of three years. The prefered starting date is April 2007. Salary is based on
the German TVöD (LGB) respectively TV-L pay scale area east (BTUC). Postdocs and technician will be
considered as fulltime positions, PhD as halftime positions. All qualified candidates are encouraged to
apply. Since the IGB and BTU value social diversity, preference will be given to women, physical
handicapped persons and minorities when the top candidates are equally qualified.
All applications should including a CV, copies of relevant certificates, a list of publications, a description
of research interests, and two references (e-mail address and phone number). Applications must be
submitted no later than February 28, 2007 (date of receipt) to:
Dr. Claudia Wiedner
Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries
Department of Limnology of Stratified Lakes
Alte Fischerhütte 2
D-16775 Stechlin-Neuglobsow,
Germany