PhD Position in: "Biological and Geochemical drivers of Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in Amazon Peatlands" at the School of Life Sciences (SOLS), Arizona State University.
The Cadillo Lab in the School of Life Sciences at Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) is seeking a PhD student to focus on organisms and geochemical processes leading to Anaerobic Methane Oxidation in Amazon peatlands.
Research in the Cadillo Lab (https://cadillo-lab.asu.edu) examines interdisciplinary subjects related to ecosystems processes, carbon cycling and the role of microbes at different spatial and temporal scales.
The PhD position is included as part on a DOE sponsored collaborative research lead by the University of Minnesota, and including USDA Forest Service, ORNL, U of Missouri, Michigan Tech, IIAP-Peru, and ASU (see multiple components of project at https://www.biometeorology.umn.edu/research/amazon-flux). This integrative project seeks to monitor and understand multiple processes in a palm swamp peatland and develop a detailed methane budget in an Amazon peatland. The collaborative PhD position will focus on the activity and contribution of anaerobic methane oxidation in Amazon peatlands. Research in this program includes studies on greenhouse gas flux, isotope (natural abundance and tracer addition), SIP labelling and geomicrobial assays. Prior research experience in greenhouse gases fluxes and isotopic studies or geochemistry of anaerobic methane oxidation are highly desirable. Student will develop laboratory skills and field research experiences. Field work will be completed in the Western Amazon region of Peru near Iquitos city hence any level of Spanish or Portuguese language abilities will be a plus.
Students with appropriate background from any related field (geosciences, environmental microbiology, biochemistry, environmental sciences and others) are encouraged to apply to this multidisciplinary position.
Students with a record of publication or master’s degree, strong quantitative skills, and appropriate experiences will be given preference. Start date for graduate studies is Summer or Fall 2022. To express interest in the positions please email Prof Cadillo-Quiroz at hinsby@asu.edu and include 1) a statement of research interests and experience, 2) a CV, and 3) a writing sample, if available. Candidates will be considered for PhD admission through either of the following programs: Environmental Life Sciences PhD program, PhD in Microbiology, or PhD in Biological Design (see program details: https://sols.asu.edu/degree-programs/graduate and https://sbhse.engineering.asu.edu/biologicaldesignoverview/). Preferred initial contact is requested before Dec 15 2020 to be closely follow by PhD application. Request after December 15th 2020 will be accepted but evaluation is not guaranteed.
ASU provides a strong and vibrant research environment through multiple units related to this project including the School of Life Sciences (https://sols.asu.edu), the Global Institute of Sustainability (https://sustainability.asu.edu/), the Biodesign Institute (https://biodesign.asu.edu/), and the School of Earth and Space Exploration (https://sese.asu.edu/), the Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics (https://biodesign.asu.edu/fundamental-and-applied-microbiomics), the Swetty center for Environmental Biotechnology (https://biodesign.asu.edu/environmental-biotechnology), and others.