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 together with an EU-H2020-funded PONDERFUL project at Middle East Technical University (METU), Limnology Laboratory and Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOSAM), and Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Lake Group, Denmark. The PhD will be based in Ankara as well as in Aarhus and work under the supervision of Professor Meryem Beklioğlu and co-supervision of senior researcher Dr. Thomas Davidson, Aarhus University, Department of Bioscience, Denmark.

Small shallow lakes are the most abundant freshwater bodies on the planet, host a diverse array of biotic diversity and are increasingly recognised as disproportionately important but inadequately studied sources of Greenhouse gases (GHG). Whilst it is increasingly recognised that small shallow water bodies are crucially important to GHG dynamics there is a paucity of data from more arid regions and from non-permanent ponds in Mediterranean climate settings. These knowledge gaps will be addressed by this research project. The project sets out to quantifying how biodiversity, ecosystem state and processes and ecosystem services covary and interact in pondscapes. Ecosystem functions and services of pondscape that include (a) carbon sequestration using sediment traps, (b) pond metabolism, (c) GHG emissions, (methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O)). These processes and ecosystem services will be thoroughly studied through with controlled mesocosms experiments, large data analyses as well as standardized startifed sampling of pondscapes.

The knowledge generated will feed into the wider EU funded projects to develop and nature- based solutions to combat and mitigate the effects of current and future climate change. The successful candidate will have access to world leading mesocosm facilities and also be part of a larger projects (PONDERFUL and AQUACOSM-Plus) aiming to help develop novel approaches to combat the negative effects of climate change.

Minimum requirements:

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

• Knowledge and interest in advancing data analyses skills (R).

• Ability to work independently as well as to have good collaboration skills.

• Strong motivation for carrying out research, 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 (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), recommendations and a brief letter of motivation to Meryem Beklioğlu (meryem@metu.edu.tr). You can also contact us (thd@bios.au.dk) 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.