The research group ‘Eco-Evolutionary Dynamics’ in the Department of Evolutionary and Integrative Ecology and the research group ‘Organic Contaminants’ in the Department of Ecohydrology and Biogeochemistry of IGB invite applications for the position of a Postdoctoral Research Fellow (18 months, full time) starting from 01.04.2023. The postdoctoral researcher will be located in Berlin at Lake Müggelsee in Friedrichshagen.
The aim of this postdoc position is to quantify and characterize the chemical water quality and biodiversity of urban ponds in Berlin. Specifically, we will examine organic contaminants such as biocides, flame retardants, or vehicle-related compounds in urban ponds and quantify how the presence of pollutants links to the freshwater biodiversity at different trophic levels using sequencing approaches. The position also aims to design laboratory experiments to investigate the local adaptation of key players in the freshwater food web (e.g., ciliates, zooplankton) and to assess whether microbial communities in urban ponds have an enhanced ability to degrade anthropogenic organic pollutants.
We seek a dynamic, passionate, and ambitious scientist with a strong interest in combining questions on pollution and biodiversity dynamics in urban ponds. The successful candidate will have expertise in the analysis of trace organic contaminants in water using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Experience with water sampling for eDNA analysis, metabarcoding or other sequencing techniques, and data mining is essential. Expertise in laboratory experiments with microorganisms would be of advantage.