We are seeking a PhD student (3 years duration), to start in January 2021.

Applications are being accepted for EU- H2020, INFRIA funded AQUACOSM-PLUS Project as well as a nationally funded (TUBİTAK) Saline-Lakes Project at the Middle East Technical University, Limnology Laboratory and Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOSAM). The PhD will be based in Ankara as well as Wasser Cluster, Lunz, Austria and work under the supervision of Professor Meryem Beklioğlu, Professor Erik Jeppesen and Dr Robert Ptacnik.

Global temperature and precipitation patterns have already been changing as a result of climate change, and the change in the semi-arid and Mediterranean climate zones are predicted to be particularly dramatic. Moreover, the land in drought is expected to double from 2000 to 2100. The magnitude of these changes and a consequent increase in salinity poses a major threat to the functioning and biodiversity of especially shallow lakes. Knowledge on the effect of warming on saline lakes is fragmented and far from at the level achieved for freshwater lakes. In this project, we aim at providing novel understanding of the structure, functioning and biodiversity relationship of saline lake ecosystems. The focus of the PhD research is to quantify changes in species and trait diversity of phytoplankton especially focusing on relationships between functional traits, biodiversity and ecosystem function in saline standing waters subjected to salinization and eutrophication using especially mesocosms-experiments, snap-shot sampling of large number of lakes as well as monitoring data.

Minimum requirements:

• A Msc degree in ecology, freshwater ecology, community ecology.

• Knowledge and interest in furthering data analyses.

• Ability to work independently and to do critical thinking.

• Good collaboration skills.

• Strong motivation for carrying out research projects/experiments to completion.

• Problem-solving and do-it-yourself capacity.

Applications: Send a cover letter, a recent CV and contact information for at least two referees to Dr. Meryem Beklioğlu via email (meryem@metu.edu.tr).

Application closure date: December 15, 2020.

Start date: January, 2021

Position Length: Three years,

Application: Please send your CV, transcripts (bachelor and master), 2 recommendatios and a brief letter of motivation to Meryem Beklioğlu – meryem@metu.edu.tr. You can also contact me and other co-supervisiors (ej@bios.au.dk, Robert.Ptacnik@wcl.ac.at) for informal inquiries.

METU Graduate student applications criteria require official Graduate Record Exam (A) and language scores (B). A list of accepted examinations is given below. Examinations recommended for international applicants were marked with an asterix (*). Native English speakers and applicants having a university degree with English education are exempted from English tests.

For more inquiries please check the link: https://fbe.metu.edu.tr/tr/biology

1.B.S. CGPA must be at least 2.50.

2.M.S CGPA must be at least 3.00.

3.Two (2) Reference Letters are required*

* Graduates of METU BIO and GENE programs are not required to submit.

* Ph.D: One of them must be from M.S. thesis advisor.

4.Letter of Intent emphasizing the field of study is required.

5.In the application form "Intended Area of Research" section must be filled.

6.To apply Ph.D., both undergraduate and graduate transcripts are required.