PhD student in environmental microbiology

In summer 2020, several dogs died at the mouth of the Areuse (Neuchâtel, Switzerland), minutes only after ingesting a fragment of some dense microbial mat washed onto the shore. Their death was attributed to anatoxin-a, a potent neurotoxin from cyanobacterial origin. The microorganism associated with the poisoning, Microcoleus sp., is responsible for similar recent events in several countries around the world. Why these Cyanobacteria proliferate in temperate regions and to which extent their proliferation is connected to the toxin they produce is not understood. In addition, we hardly know anything about the natural enemies of these Cyanobacteria, especially among microorganisms. We offer a PhD position to address these broad questions.
The PhD candidate will study how environmental factors, especially light, temperature, and nitrogen sources, influence growth and toxin-production in Microcoleus sp. Unialgal cultures and culture protocols are already established, but quantification methods need to be developed. Moreover, a whole microbiome, including potentially cyanolytic heterotrophs and bacteriophages, is associated with Microcoleus filaments and is likely to influence the proliferation and survival of the associated Cyanobacteria. The PhD candidate will establish experimental systems in which these interactions can be observed and their impact on cyanobacterial proliferation and fitness studied.

The candidate has solid theoretical knowledge and at least some experience in bacteriology. He/she has a Master’s degree in Life Sciences and is willing to invest time and effort in learning bacteriology methods applicable to heterotrophs and cyanobacteria as well as some molecular biology to address the questions. We are looking for a highly motivated, hard-working, and resourceful person.