Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), one of Europe’s leading research universities, is offering a funded PhD position in Geomicrobiology / Environmental Microbiology. This exciting opportunity is part of the prestigious Emmy-Noether Research Group in Biogeochemistry and Climate Change, focusing on the role of marine microbial communities in processing dissolved organic matter (DOM) under climate change stressors like ocean warming and deoxygenation.
If you’re passionate about marine microbiology, climate science, and molecular biology, this program offers world-class research, field expeditions, and bioinformatics training at the highest level.
🌍 Why This PhD Matters
The IPCC highlights ocean deoxygenation as one of the top three threats to marine ecosystems—alongside ocean acidification and warming. This research aims to:
- Understand how climate change impacts microbial biodiversity.
- Study carbon sequestration and sulfur cycling in the oceans.
- Provide insights to mitigate the effects of global ocean change.
By joining this project, you will contribute to cutting-edge marine science with real-world environmental impact.
📌 PhD Position Details
- Location: LMU Munich, Germany
- Start Date: November 1, 2025
- Type: PhD (Part-time, 65% employment)
- Duration: Up to 3 years (TV-L E13 scale)
- Application Deadline: August 31, 2025
You’ll work in state-of-the-art laboratories and participate in oceanographic research missions across Europe, combining fieldwork, molecular biology, and bioinformatics.
🧪 Key Responsibilities
- Perform DNA/RNA extractions, PCR, qPCR, sequencing, and functional gene analysis.
- Study microbial diversity and DOM processing in marine ecosystems.
- Conduct fieldwork aboard research vessels in European waters.
- Present findings at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
🎓 Required Qualifications
- M.Sc. degree in one of the following:
- Microbiology
- Environmental Sciences
- Microbial Oceanography
- Or a related discipline
- Strong English communication skills (written & spoken).
- Interest in microbial ecology, molecular techniques, and climate science.
- Willingness to engage in extended marine fieldwork.
- Ability to work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary European research network.
⭐ Preferred Skills
- Experience with DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, and qPCR.
- Familiarity with high-throughput sequencing (16S rRNA, metagenomics, metatranscriptomics).
- Knowledge of bioinformatics pipelines and software such as R, Python, or Matlab.
🎯 Benefits of Joining LMU Munich
- Work at one of Europe’s top-ranked research universities.
- Access to advanced marine science labs and field equipment.
- Guidance from Dr. Gonzalo V. Gomez-Saez and support from the German Research Foundation (DFG).
- Opportunities for international collaboration.
- Inclusive hiring policy with encouragement for applications from diverse backgrounds.
📩 How to Apply
Send one PDF document containing the following to g.gomez@lmu.de:
- Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copies of B.Sc. and M.Sc. certificates
- PDF copy of M.Sc. thesis
- Contact details of two referees (name & email)
Application Deadline: August 31, 2025
💡 Tip for Applicants: Highlight your molecular biology experience, marine research interest, and readiness for field expeditions to stand out in the selection process.