Announcements
Announcement for a student assistant position at the Department of System Ecotoxicology at the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH - UFZ
We are looking for a highly motivated student research assistant for the analysis of microorganism samples from Kenyan freshwater ponds. Using a FlowCam® we detected and photographed all particles inside a subsample of each water sample. The photos in the resulting database need to be classified by size and shape to certain groups of microorganisms. Control samples of the selected organisms need to be specified further under a microscope.
Tasks:
The candidate will sort and classify photos of detected particles for a quantitative analysis of microorganism samples. He or she will determine specimen of selected organisms further under a microscope and summarize the results using Excel.
Requirements:
After a short training period the candidate should work self dependently and reliably on the analysis and on the microscope. Experience in the taxonomy of protozoa and microalgae are highly welcome, but not a prerequisite.
Working conditions:
The candidate will get a contract as a student research assistant for up to 19 h per week over six weeks. The position is open from now until 15. July 2013. Working times can be flexibly arranged with the supervisor. Place of work is the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH – UFZ in Leipzig.
Please send your application in German or English to: jeremias.becker@ufz.de
Contact for more information: Jeremias Becker, jeremias.becker@ufz.de, tel.: +49 (0) 341 / 235 1494
Evaluating the efficiency of buffer strips to mitigate pesticide exposure to agricultural streams
We offer a position for a practical work training.
Aim: The aim of the project is to evaluate the efficiency of buffer strips to mitigate pesticide exposure to small agricultural streams. To this end, data describing the macroinvertebrate community, GIS modelling results of pesticide exposure risk and aerial pictures shall be analysed.
Background: Toxicants including pesticides have adverse short- and long-term effects on aquatic communities. These effects can be detected and evaluated by bioindicator systems like SPEARpesticides (http://www.systemecology.eu/SPEAR/Start.html). Pesticide exposure can be predicted on the landscape scale using GIS modelling based on key environmental characteristics like topography, precipitation, soil properties, and land use. Using data from operational monitoring of the macroinvertebrate community, a link between predicted exposure and observed effect can be establishes.
Requirements: Good knowledge in GIS (e.g. ArcGIS), at least basics in statistic analysis, ability to work independently and bring in own ideas. The thesis can be written in German or English language.
The research will be carried out at the Department of System Ecotoxicology, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Permoserstraße 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
(webpage: http://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=2122). Duration: Diploma, Bachelor or Master Thesis from three to nine months, accordingly.
For more information, please contact Katja Bunzel.
katja.bunzel@ufz.de
Analysis of mesocosm studies for risk evaluation in collaboration with the Federal Environmental Agency (UBA)
Topic: Complex mesocosms are artificial ecosystems which are considered to be an effigy of real world ecosystems, therefore they are used in the administration of pesticides. Pesticides are administered when no lasting effects have been observed in these systems. Recently we have developed an approach to identify effects of pesticides in mesocosms, which is based on a bioindicatorsystem (SPEAR, see http://www.systemecology.eu/SPEAR/index.php). This method seems to reflect the effects of pesticides much better compared to the analyses in use so far. The German Federal Environmental Agency and other European authorities show great interest in this method. The aim of the study is to analyse existing mesocosm data with the new approach. Then, baed on the results, new suggestions for the analysis of complex test systems shall be developed.
We offe: An international working group with intense contacts to other European countries and to Australia, Canada, Russia and the USA. We set value on a good working atmosphere as well as on self-determined working and interest in highest scientific standards.
For further information: http://www.ufz.de/index.php?de=2122 or directly at the department head: matthias.liess@ufz.de
Ecological Risks of Plant Protecting Agents
Background:
Auqatic ecosystems provide essential services for human beings (drinking water, biodiverity, fisheries, recreation etc.). Conventional agriculture may impair ecosystems, e. g. the contamination of streaming waters with pesticides.
The department of system ecotoxicology aims at (i) elucidating the effects of toxicants on aquatic ecosystems and therefore (ii) to improve the risk assessment in the field. In order to achieve this goal, we study the effects of toxicants in combination with other environmnentally relevant stressors, especially focusing on long term effects, recovery processes and resistance developments. In the frame of a thesis, the change of simple aquatic communities after stress by plant protective agents and additional stressors can be studied. Monitoring will be conducted with modern image analysis methods.
Responsibilities:
Conducting ecotoxicological OECD standard tests with Daphnia magna
Constructing and conducting a long term experiment on population and community level with multiple pesticide exposure
Data analysis
Requirements:
The project is suitable for students of Biology, Ecology and similar courses of studies.
Time and venue:
The venue is in Leipzig. You may start as soon as possible.
Contact:
For further information please contact the department head Dr. Matthias Liess or Kaarina Foit.
matthias.liess@ufz.de
kaarina.foit@ufz.de
