Jobs & External Studentships

PhD in Freshwater Ecosystems Ecology

From greenhouse gas to biomass: novel energy resources in river food webs

Location: Queen Mary, University of London, and the FBA River Lab, Dorset
Lead Supervisor: Dr Jonathan Grey
Period of Funding: 36 Months
Closing Date: Friday 12th February 2010

Applications are invited to conduct research leading to a PhD on methane ‘fuelling’ of chalk river food webs. The Freshwater Biological Association is supporting the project, and the majority of the experimental work will be conducted at the River Laboratory in Dorset. For further information on the project and application procedures, please visit:

MSc in Freshwater & Coastal Sciences

Queen Mary, University of London
 
Supported by extra NERC studentships for 2010 applicants, and a fees bursary from the FBA to support a keen student with taxonomic interests

Aquatic ecosystems are resources of high economic and ecological value. However, they are threatened by habitat degradation, pollution, species introductions and climate change on a global scale. This MSc (either one-year or part-time) aims to provide students with the necessary skills to understand and tackle these issues.


The programme is taught by world experts from the School of Biological & Chemical Sciences and the Department of Geography at Queen Mary, University of London. Staff from a range of external agencies (eg CEH, Environment Agency, DEFRA, APEM) also contribute.

Field work is a key feature of many modules and is continued via a substantive individual research project, providing students with valuable independent research skills for further PhD research and hence into academia, or for prospective employment in the applied sector.

For details please follow this link

For further information, please contact: Postgraduate Admissions Administrator, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS.Tel: +44(0)20 7882 3012 / Fax: +44(0)20 8983 0973, email: sbcs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk

MSc Aquatic Ecology by Research

Queen Mary, University of London 

Part-Fees Bursaries are available to support promising young scientists

The majority of MSc programmes with an aquatic theme are based upon taught modules focusing on applied aspects of management. However, the rationale for offering the MSc Aquatic Ecology by Research (AER) is to provide a more comprehensive practical training by application in the laboratory or field, rather than by formal tuition in the lecture theatre. In essence then, AER melds both the UK and European models of MSc. The key element is the extended project which is designed to provide many the skills required to undertake further academic or applied research. Such projects are closely aligned to the current research topics of staff members of the Centre for the Aquatic and  Terrestrial Environment at Queen Mary, University of London.

For details please follow this link

For further information, please contact: Postgraduate Admissions Administrator, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, E1 4NS.Tel: +44(0)20 7882 3012 / Fax: +44(0)20 8983 0973, email: sbcs-pgadmissions@qmul.ac.uk

Open academic position in Aquatic Environmental Microbiology

Description: The Faculty of Science of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) announces the opening of a full-time academic position in the Department of Organism Biology and in the Interfaculty School of Bioscience Engineering starting October 1st, 2010.
 
Candidates are expected to lead high quality teaching and research programs in aquatic environmental microbiology. All applicants are expected to hold a PhD in Science or in Agronomy and Bioscience Engineering and have a strong record of publications and research experience in the areas of aquatic environmental microbiology. A significant postdoctoral experience abroad is requested.  Experiences in interdisciplinary collaboration and research funding are important assets.

The required core expertise is aquatic microbial ecology using molecular tools applied to bacterial communities. Competences in ecotoxicology, symbiotic microorganisms or bioremediation will give the candidate an advantage.

Both the Department of Organism Biology and the Interfaculty School of Bioscience Engineering harbour groups active in aquatic microbiology research and participate to interdisciplinary programs. The successful candidate will perform his/her research in these groups (Marine Biology  http://www.ulb.ac.be/sciences/biomar/; Ecology of Aquatic Systems  http://www.ulb.ac.be/assoc/esa/index.htm); and will have access to a technological platform in molecular biology belonging to both departments.

The position involves both teaching and research and some commitment to administrative tasks. For candidates not fluent in French, a temporary period of teaching in English may be granted.

The candidate will take part in teaching activities in both the Master program in Organism Biology and Ecology and the Bachelor program in Biology as well as in the Bachelor and Master programs in Bioengineering. He/she should progressively increase his/her teaching activities to reach a level comparable to that of his/her colleagues (typically 4 or 5 hours a week for two semesters, plus supervision of exercises sessions).

If the selected candidate is neither already employed by ULB nor employed by the Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique and working at ULB, he/she will be offered a first contract for a duration of three years. At the end of this period and subject to the agreement of the Board of the University, he/she will be offered a permanent position.


How to apply?: Applications should be sent as soon as possible, and before March, 1st, 2010
to the following address:
 
Professeur Philippe Vincke, Recteur de l'ULB, ULB CP 130, 50 Av F.D. Roosevelt, B-1050, Bruxelles - with subject : "Vacance Chargé de cours en faculté des Sciences avec rattachement au Département de Biologie des Organismes et à l’Ecole Interfacultaire de Bioingénieurs".

An electronic copy of the application should be sent to Prof. Martine Labbé (annick.gerlache@ulb.ac.be), Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Prof. Philippe Dubois (phdubois@ulb.ac.be), Head of the Department of Organism Biology and Prof. Philippe Bogaerts (Philippe.Bogaerts@ulb.ac.be), Head of the Interfaculty School of Bioscience Engineering

The application should consist of (i) a curriculum vitae including a full publication list (see example http://www.ulb.ac.be/tools/CV-type.rtf), (ii) a description of the candidate's pedagogical project, (iii) a description of the research project that the candidate intends to pursue in the coming years,  (iv) a text presenting the (up to five) most significant publications of the candidate and (v) a copy of these most significant publications (up to five).

The candidates are invited to use the standard model of curriculum vitae proposed at ULB. This model can be downloaded at the following website:

Additional information: As stated by its statutes, the University of Brussels is a non discriminating institution and all its members are expected to adhere to its fundamentals principles. For any additional information (e.g. concerning courses to be taught or the research carried out in the Department) please contact Prof. Philippe Dubois (phdubois@ulb.ac.be ), Head of the Department of Organism Biology or Prof. Pierre Servais, Interfaculty School of Bioscience Engineering (pservais@ulb.ac.be),  or visit the following web pages:
http://www.ulb.ac.be/facs/sciences/biol/dbo.html
http://www.ulb.ac.be/facs/bioing/index.html