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🐟 PhD Student Position in Aquatic Food-Web Ecology & Stable Isotope Research | Danube University Krems
Institution: Danube University Krems – University for Continuing Education
Laboratory: Research Lab for Aquatic Ecosystems and Health
Research Group: Aquatic Ecosystem Research
📍 Location: Krems, Austria
💼 Position Available: PhD Student / PhD Researcher
🔬 Research Area: Aquatic Food-Web Ecology | Freshwater Ecology | Stable Isotope Ecology | Lipid Ecology | Fatty Acid Analysis | Aquatic Ecosystems | Biogeochemistry
The Research Lab for Aquatic Ecosystems and Health at Danube University Krems is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to join a fully funded research project investigating trophic interactions in aquatic food webs.
The project will trace how fatty acids move through freshwater pond ecosystems, following their transfer from algae to zooplankton and fish, while examining how environmental and dietary factors influence these processes.
The successful candidate will gain access to advanced compound-specific stable isotope analytical methods and conduct both field research in northern Austria and controlled laboratory feeding experiments.
📅 Enrollment: Early 2027
📅 Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
🔬 About the Research Lab for Aquatic Ecosystems and Health
The research program investigates important ecological processes within aquatic ecosystems, including:
- Aquatic food-web ecology
- Freshwater ecosystem functioning
- Trophic interactions
- Fatty acid ecology
- Stable isotope analysis
- Nutrient and energy transfer
- Aquatic organism interactions
- Environmental and dietary influences on food webs
The research integrates field-based ecological studies with advanced analytical techniques and controlled experimental approaches to understand how important compounds move through aquatic ecosystems.
🧪 Project Description
The PhD project will explore the trophic processes of pond food webs.
The successful candidate will investigate how algae, zooplankton, and fish respond to environmental and dietary changes and how fatty acids are transferred across different trophic levels.
The research will focus on:
- Tracing fatty acid movement through aquatic food webs.
- Investigating trophic relationships between algae, zooplankton, and fish.
- Examining environmental and dietary influences on aquatic organisms.
- Studying fatty acid transfer and conversion across pond food webs.
- Investigating compound-specific stable isotope signatures.
- Conducting field research in freshwater ponds.
- Performing controlled feeding experiments.
- Combining ecological field observations with advanced analytical methods.
The project provides an opportunity to study fundamental ecological processes using cutting-edge isotope tracing technologies.
🐟 Aquatic Food-Web Ecology
The central focus of the project is understanding how energy and essential compounds move through freshwater food webs.
Research will investigate interactions among:
- Algae
- Zooplankton
- Fish
- Other components of freshwater pond ecosystems
The candidate will examine how changes in environmental conditions and dietary resources influence trophic pathways and the transfer of fatty acids across different levels of the food web.
🔬 Stable Isotope & Analytical Research
The PhD project will utilize advanced analytical approaches to track compound-specific stable isotopes of fatty acids.
The research may involve state-of-the-art methods including:
- GC-C/P-IRMS
- MALDI
- EA-IRMS
- Compound-specific stable isotope analysis
- Fatty acid analysis
- Isotope tracing approaches
These advanced techniques will support the identification and tracking of specific biochemical compounds as they move through aquatic food webs.
🌊 Field & Experimental Research
The successful candidate will participate in both field-based and controlled experimental research.
Field Research
Conduct ecological research in freshwater ponds in northern Austria to investigate natural aquatic food-web processes.
Controlled Feeding Experiments
Perform controlled experiments to examine how dietary factors influence:
- Fatty acid uptake
- Fatty acid transfer
- Trophic relationships
- Biochemical conversion processes
- Aquatic organism responses
This combination of field and experimental research will provide a comprehensive understanding of ecological and biochemical processes within pond ecosystems.
🎯 Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate should have prior academic training and research experience in:
- Aquatic food-web ecology
- Freshwater ecology
- Aquatic biology
- Ecology
- Environmental science
- Related ecological disciplines
Prior training in aquatic food-web ecology is required.
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong interest in freshwater and aquatic ecosystem research.
- Understanding of trophic interactions and food-web processes.
- Interest in stable isotope and biochemical ecology.
- Ability to conduct field-based research.
- Motivation to perform controlled experimental studies.
- Strong analytical and scientific research skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
🌟 What the Position Offers
💰 Fully Funded PhD Position
- Fully funded PhD position
- Funding duration: 3 years
- Enrollment expected in early 2027
🔬 Advanced Analytical Infrastructure
Gain experience with state-of-the-art isotope tracing and analytical methods, including:
- GC-C/P-IRMS
- MALDI
- EA-IRMS
- Compound-specific stable isotope analysis
🌊 Field Research Experience
Conduct ecological field research in northern Austria and investigate natural freshwater pond ecosystems.
🧪 Experimental Training
Gain hands-on experience through controlled feeding experiments and ecological research.
📈 Interdisciplinary Research Experience
Develop expertise at the intersection of:
- Aquatic ecology
- Food-web biology
- Stable isotope ecology
- Biogeochemistry
- Lipid ecology
- Analytical science
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application materials as a single PDF document to Prof. Martin Kainz.
📧 Application Email: martin.kainz@donau-uni.ac.at
The Application Must Include:
- Brief Description of Academic Background – Including career goals, motivation for pursuing the PhD, and research interests.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) – Including academic and professional experience.
- Contact Information for Three References.
Applicants should clearly explain their interest in joining the Research Lab for Aquatic Ecosystems and Health and their motivation for pursuing research in aquatic food-web ecology.
Applications will be reviewed, and pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
📅 Application Timeline
Position Duration: 3 Years
Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
Expected Enrollment: Early 2027
Application Review: Pre-selected candidates will be invited for an interview.
Applicants must satisfy all applicable Danube University Krems admission, enrollment, and appointment requirements.
📌 Job Details
Institution: Danube University Krems
Laboratory: Research Lab for Aquatic Ecosystems and Health
Position: PhD Student / PhD Researcher
Location: Krems, Austria
Research Areas: Aquatic Food-Web Ecology | Freshwater Ecology | Stable Isotope Ecology | Lipid Ecology | Fatty Acid Analysis | Aquatic Ecosystems
Research Focus: Trophic Transfer and Conversion of Fatty Acids Across Pond Food Webs
Study Organisms: Algae | Zooplankton | Fish
Research Methods: GC-C/P-IRMS | MALDI | EA-IRMS | Compound-Specific Stable Isotope Analysis | Field Research | Controlled Feeding Experiments
Required Background: Prior Training in Aquatic Food-Web Ecology
Funding: Fully Funded
Position Duration: 3 Years
Location of Field Research: Northern Austria
Expected Enrollment: Early 2027
Application Deadline: October 31, 2026
Application Mode: Submit a Single PDF via Email
Application Email: martin.kainz@donau-uni.ac.at
Category
PhD Position | PhD Jobs | Aquatic Ecology | Food-Web Ecology | Freshwater Ecology | Stable Isotope Ecology | Aquatic Ecosystems | Fatty Acid Analysis | Biogeochemistry | Environmental Science | Research Jobs | Austria Jobs | University Jobs
🏷️ Tags
#PhDPosition #PhDJobs #DanubeUniversityKrems #AquaticEcology #FoodWebEcology #FreshwaterEcology #StableIsotopes #AquaticEcosystems #FattyAcidAnalysis #Biogeochemistry #EnvironmentalScience
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