Your contact for any questions you may have about the job:
Nuria Perujo ([email protected])
Please submit your application via our online portal with your cover letter, CV (please omit your photo, age, or marital status) and relevant attachments.
The UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity.
We look forward to applications from people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.
The Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) with its 1,100 employees has gained an excellent reputation as an international competence centre for environmental sciences. We are part of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz association. Our mission: Our research seeks to find a balance between social development and the long-term protection of our natural resources.
The Department of River Ecology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) is offering a MSc thesis position focusing on Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM) and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM). This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art imaging techniques while contributing to cutting-edge environmental research. An active metabolic state within the microbial community of aquatic ecosystems is essential for maintaining macronutrient biogeochemical flows, promoting the degradation of emerging contaminants, and enhancing resilience in terms of ecological functions, services, and biodiversity. Microbial biofilms—mixed communities of autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms—develop on substrates in aquatic ecosystems (e.g., sediments, rocks, pebbles) and are crucial for ecosystem function. They form the base of the trophic network and concentrate the majority of microbial activity within these environments.
The selected candidate will work on evaluating the FLIM technique to assess the metabolic state of aquatic microbial biofilms. Specifically, by combining FLIM with different fluorophores the applicant will generate fluorescence lifetime phasor plots to study changes in the metabolic state of different groups within the biofilm (i.e., microalgae, cyanobacteria, and bacteria) separately, as well as in the biofilm as a whole, under specific stress factors such as nutrient depletion and saturated light conditions, among others. Compared to other techniques for measuring the metabolic state of microbial biofilms, FLIM allows for the analysis of different biofilm regions (e.g. surface, depth), enables metabolic differentiation of various microbial groups (e.g., bacteria, cyanobacteria, microalgae), does not require biofilm extraction—thus preserving its structure—and provides results that are independent of fluorophore concentration.The project will involve biofilm colonization in the lab, sample preparation and staining procedures, operate CLSM and learn FLIM imaging techniques, analysis of fluorescence time phasor plots using specialized software, statistical data analysis in R, literature research to discuss the main results, and writing a MSc thesis.
Enrolled in an MSc program in biology, hydrobiology, environmental sciences, or a related field Strong interest in advanced microscopy techniques Experience in aquatic microbial ecology is advantageous Basic knowledge of R is a plus
Apply nowApplication deadline: 31.05.2025
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