Research Associate for the Project “MOMOBIO-2” § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHG

We offer a new PhD position at Universität Hamburg (3 years) on the role of shifts in functional diversity of microbial communities for the abundance of pathogens and consequences for human health, using a process-based modelling approach.

Application deadline: 30.09.2024

The project will be part of the newly established research consortium "MOMOBIO-2" which examines the impacts of increasing release of antibiotics, biocides, toxins, plasticizers and microplastics on microbial diversity and community composition. The associated spread of bacterial resistance mechanisms may cause a high risk for human and animal health. In addition, climate change and other man-made factors increase and speed up these effects. The MOMOBIO-2 project will develop very detailed mainly omic-based data sets and process-based models to track, monitor and predict the urban microbiota and changes in its biodiversity and resistance profile along the wastewater streams of the City of Hamburg as well as urban water bodies. Our main goal is to use changes in microbial biodiversity as an indirect measure for animal and human health.

The candidate will further develop a model of microbial diversity that explicitly simulates a large number of microbial functional types, characterized by several key traits, based on existing eco-evolutionary models. The model will be parameterized and validated against observational data, collected in other projects of the MOMOBIO-2 consortium. The candidate will analyse evolving resistomes, xenobiotic gene loads, and virulence factors. The spread of antibiotic resistance in microbial communities will be scaled up along the flow path toward the Elbe river in response to changes in stressor levels.

Hamburg is one of Germany's largest cities with a rich cultural life, and home to several top research institutions, such as Universität Hamburg, which is part of Germany's initiative of excellence. We offer an interesting scope of work in an active and stimulating research environment, addressing relevant issues at the interface of natural sciences and society.

For more information and to apply visit:

https://www.uni-hamburg.de/stellenangebote/ausschreibung.html?jobID=05a6865ee498198d46340d917e74607c454019d6