PhD Position (Biogeochemistry / stable isotopes)

A 3-year PhD position beginning in April 1999 is available at the
Geological Institute of the University of Neuchâtel (Switzerland) in the
frame of the project

PATHWAYS AND RATES OF ORGANIC CARBON MINERALIZATION IN PEAT BOGS: THE
ROLE OF METHANOGENIC PROCESSES.

Project summary:
On a global scale natural peatlands are an important source of the
greenhouse gas methane to the atmosphere. The present study will
investigate the quantitative importance of the different microbial
methane producing reactions and their spatial and temporal distribution
in a complete vertical profile of a well-characterized peat bog.
Monthly measurements of concentrations and coexisting stable isotopes of
dissolved CO2 (DIC), organic carbon (DOC), methane, and acetate in pore
water profiles, as well as measurements of fluxes and co-existing stable
isotopes of emitted CO2 and methane will be the backbones of the
project. The stable isotopes will be used to identify the specific
pathways of carbon metabolism in the peat column as a function of depth
and time. Seasonal variations of major dissolved constituents in the
pore waters (e.g. the key-metabolite acetate) hydrologic parameters and
temperature will also be measured.
All these measurements will be integrated in geochemical models coupling
flow and microbial/geochemical reactions.

Candidate profile:
Interested candidates should have a degree (Diploma, Masters, DEA or
equivalent) in geochemistry, environmental science, or related field.
The PhD work includes field work, chemical analyses (GC, HPIC, MS, etc.)
and geochemical modeling. We are, therefore, seeking for a motivated
graduate student interested to work in these fields.

For further information contact
Dr. Philipp Steinmann; email: [log in to unmask]
or
Dr. Stephen Burns; email: [log in to unmask]

Please send applications to

Dr. Philipp Steinmann
Université de Neuchâtel
Institut de Géologie
rue Emile-Argand 11
CH-2007 Neuchâtel
Switzerland

email: [log in to unmask]