School of Chemistry, University of Bristol

PhD STUDENTSHIPS, RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
and SENIOR RESEARCH TECHNICAN

Organic Geochemistry Unit and Biogeochemistry Research Centre has the
following new posts and vacancies. The underlying theme of all our
research is the use of biomolecular techniques (gas chromatography, high
performance liquid chromatography, organic mass spectrometry and isotope
ratio mass spectrometry) to investigate a variety of questions in modern
and ancient environments. Our web page can be found at:
http://www.chm.bris.ac.uk/org/evershed/ and contains descriptions of all
our current research projects and a bibliography of published works. For
further information contact: Professor Richard Evershed, School of
Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol BS8 1TS, UK.
Tel. 0117 9287671. Fax. 0117 9293746. Email [log in to unmask]
The closing date for all applications is 14th July 2000.

Research Assistant/Senior Research Technician (NERC)
Two year post extendible to four years working with the NERC Organic
Mass Spectrometry Facility which provides support for academic research
and government institutes working in the environmental and life
sciences. Suitable candidates will have practical experience of organic
mass spectrometry and/or stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry together
with ancillary techniques, such as gas chromatography. A high degree of
computer literacy is desirable. Salary 16,680 - 24,479 depending upon
experience.

Postdoctoral Research Assistant (BBSRC)
Three year position using stable isotope and biomolecular techniques to
study microbial aspects of the carbon cycling in soils in collaboration
with IARC-Rothamsted.

Postdoctoral Research Assistant (EU)
Three year post to develop biomolecular and stable isotope methods for
the study of the microbiol populations in the deep biosphere under the
DEEPBUG programme.

Postdoctoral Research Assistant (NERC/English Heritage)
Eighteen month post to derive the earliest evidence for dairying in
prehistoric agriculture based on stable isotope analyses of lipids
preserved in ancient pottery in collaboration with English Heritage.

PhD studentships
PhD students will receive experience in the application of biomolecular
techniques (i.e. state-of-the-art gas chromatography, high performance
liquid chromatography, organic mass spectrometry and isotope ratio mass
spectrometry) to investigate chemically complex environmental materials.
Most of the projects are interdisciplinary, frequently involving
collaborations with government research institutes and other
Universities. NERC and University (in some instances CASE awards can be
arranged) supported studentships are drawn from the following fields:

Biomarker and stable isotope climate records from sedimentary materials
- This research is aimed at improving our ability to predict the Earth's
climate. Biologically derived organic compounds (biomarkers) preserved
peat bogs, freshwater and marine sediments are vast repositories of data
on ancient climate. Projects in this area will develop the use of new
biomarker-based proxies, particularly compound-specific stable isotope
(d13C and dD) approaches. Where possible biomarker records will be
rigorously tested against recorded meteorological data for the recent
past.

Organic matter cycling by soil microorganisms - Bacteria and fungi are
instrumental in the initial breakdown of plant tissues upon and within
the soil surface, yet the majority cannot be cultured in the laboratory.
Research in this area will use stable isotope tracer and biomarker
approaches to study the activities of microorganisms in situ to identify
the major classes utilising specific substrates.

Tracking the feeding behaviour of soil fauna through biomolecular
signatures - Little is understood about the precise behaviours of many
of the most important organisms involved in organic matter cycling in
the soil. The project will use state-of-the-art compound-specific stable
isotope (13C and 15N) techniques to investigate the behaviour of soil
dwelling organisms, particularly in relation to their feeding
behaviours/niche overlap.

Biomarker and stable isotope records of global warming in the Late
Paleocene - During the Late Paleocene it is believed that methane
release from sediments resulted in profound global warming which
affected life in both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. High-resolution
molecular and isotopic analyses on marine sediments will be used to
study changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, terrestrial
inputs to marine basins, and marine plankton associated with this major
climate event.

Biomarker compounds as tracers of methane cycling in relation to the
'Greenhouse Effect' - Although methane is a major greenhouse gas major
gaps still exist in our knowledge of its cycling. This project will
focus on the development and application of molecular biogeochemical
techniques for the study of methane cycling by microbes in wetlands,
peat bogs, freshwater and ocean sediments.

Biomolecular archaeology - The aim of this research is to discover new
ways of deriving chemical information from organic remains of
archaeological interest in order to improve our understanding of human
activity in the past. The major study materials are pottery, human,
animal and plant remains, anthropogenic soils and sediments. Major
questions relate to human diet, agriculture, exploitation of natural
resources, ritual and burial practices, e.g. mummification.