Welcome to INTRAMIF
INitial TRAining network in Mass Independent Fractionation

ESR project 8: Nitrate isotope anomaly as tracer of biogeochemical nitrogen cycling

School of Environmental Sciences (ENV), University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich, United Kingdom
supervisor J. Kaiser, ENV >e-mail
co-supervisor J. Savarino, LGGE

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for marine phytoplankton, but excessive inputs can have adverse effects such as algal blooms and eutrophication. Atmospheric deposition is a source of "new" nitrogen that fuels biological productivity in marine environments. Quantifying the contribution of the atmospheric input is therefore central to describing the nitrogen cycle. This is now possible for nitrate through the MIF signature (Morin et al. 2007) and the size of the MIF signal is a measure for the fraction of atmospheric nitrate. On cruises into the Northeast Atlantic (a region with high nitrate concentrations year-round), the ESR will obtain surface water and atmospheric aerosol nitrate samples and determine the MIF in order to quantify atmospheric nitrate deposition. The aerosol samples provide valuable constraints on the isotopic composition of nitrate far from local sources and are therefore important to the projects 7 and 10. Other biogeochemical measurements during these cruises, in collaboration with colleagues from the UK, give necessary auxiliary information on the nitrogen cycle. Samples from off the coast of Norfolk will provide insight about the role of atmospheric nitrate deposition to coastal eutrophication. In combination with atmospheric deposition measurements, it may even be possible to calculate biological nitrate fluxes, similar to the use of the oxygen isotope anomaly of atmospheric oxygen to estimate gross productivity (Luz et al. 1999). In this project we will also determine the fraction of atmospheric nitrate in a suite of natural waters together with our associated partner Hydroisotop.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must not already hold a PhD degree.
• Applicant must hold first degree in an appropriate subject and are expected to have achieved a final mark equivalent to at least a UK 2:1 (Upper Second Class Honours).
• At the time of selection for this position, you must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of your research career. This is measured from the date when you obtained the degree which would formally entitle you to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the UK.
• In line with EU requirements, successful applicants must demonstrate trans-national mobility, i.e. they must move to the UK from their present country of residence. The project is not generally open to applicants who are presently in the UK. Please check section II.1 of the FP 7 PEOPLE Work Programme for details.

Benefits:

This is a fully funded 3-year PhD project. Successful applicants will be paid a salary for three years to cover their living expenses. In addition to conducting their research projects, they will attend associated training modules that include summer schools, skills courses, scientific meetings etc. They are also eligible for additional payments towards their travel and relocation costs as well as a "Career Exploratory" allowance. Fellows will be able to start their three-year fellowships on 1 October 2009, 1 January 2010 or 1 April 2010.

How to apply:

• If you want to apply for this project, please follow the guidelines here
• In addition to (1) application form, (2) course transcripts and (3) two letters of reference, please also send a (4) curriculum vitae, (5) a letter explaining your motivation to do this particular project and (6) any other information you may find important. Applicants must meet UEA requirements for proficiency in English Language, but you can provide (7) evidence of this at a later stage.
• Please send your application material both to the Postgraduate Admissions Office of the Science Faculty at the University of East Anglia (scipg@uea.ac.uk, Fax 01603 591045) and to >INTRAMIF.
• Applications must be received by 1 July 2009.
• The University of East Anglia is an equal opportunities employer. Efforts will be made to increase participation of women researchers.
• For further questions, please contact the supervisor of the project.