PhD position in peatbog ecology

For an upcoming European project in Framework Program 5RTD Environment, we
are seeking a motivated PhD student with interest in peatbog ecology and
restauration processes on cut-over surfaces. The successful candidate should
be fluent in English, both spoken and written and should be able to prove his
ability to write scientific papers. Knowledge of French is an advantage but
not a necessity.
The general objectives of the project will be to identify the combination of
abiotic and biotic variables (hydrology, micrometeorology, vegetation,
microbiology and organic matter chemistry) favorable to the reestablishment
of peatland biodiversity and long term regeneration. Emphasis will be placed
on understanding the relationship between the development of microbial
diversity and the processes governing C cycling and its sequestration. The
ultimate goal will be to develop indicators of change in physical, chemical
and biological characteristics of peat.
This project will involve both field and laboratory work and needs an
interest in networking research with various partners.

Depending on the expertise of the candidate, the work will be orientated as
follows:

1. Relate the biological and chemical processes associated with C turnover to
the
physical, nutrient and hydrological conditions in cut-over peatland and
determine impact of different plant species on C sequestration:
- Identify and compare the vegetation communities colonizing abandoned
cut-over mire sites.
- Determine effects of key plant species used in peat restoration on carbon
sequestration.
- Determine net primary production, biomass accumulation and C budget
- Estimate net ecosystem productivity from seasonal determinations of
photosynthesis and respiration in a transparent enclosure.
- Determine the impact of recolonizing vegetation (Sphagnaceae, vascular
plants) on soluble organic forms of carbon and nitrogen and rates of gaseous
emissions of CO2 and CH4, from restored cut-over sites

2. Determine relationships between the microbial community structure in peat
and
the microbial processes driving C loss or accumulation, and relate microbial
community structure to the effectiveness of plant establishment:
- Determine the structure of microbial communities (species and functional
group assemblage, diversity, abundance, biomass) in pristine and cut-over
sites in relation to carbon sequestration and vegetation/keystone species.
- Determine the role of selected protistan communities in carbon cycling
using stable-isotope probing.
- To correlate rates of C turnover with the structure of microbial
communities and the peat organic matter components at different depths.

The PhD student will be hired during three years, with a yearly salary of ca.
FS 48'000.- The candidate will have to send before June 15th a complete CV
with list of papers and names of two reference persons to:

Jean Combe
Swiss Federal Research Institute WSL, Antenne romande
c/o EPFL,  Ecublens, case postale 96, CH-1015 Lausanne (Switzerland)

More information can be obtained from:
Dr. W. Rosselli, [log in to unmask]
Prof. A. Buttler, [log in to unmask]