Understanding how iron availability to marine primary producers may be controlled through bacterial polymer-iron chelates.

Iron, in the form of Fe(III), is a key trace metal nutrient that limits primary productivity in vast regions of the ocean. Considering that marine eukaryotic phytoplankton contribute up to 40% of global biological carbon fixation, it is critical that we understand the factors controlling Fe(III) bioavailability to these organisms. This PhD project offers the opportunity to critically investigate how polymers produced and excreted by bacteria may enhance Fe(III) bioavailability at the cellular level to phytoplankton. This will be accomplished through the utilization of isotopic-labelling techniques that include, but not limited to, FISH and RAMAN microspectroscopy. The student will join a microbiology and molecular biology group at Heriot-Watt University with expertise in applying these and other techniques to address microbe-host interactions in marine systems. This studentship is in collaboration with the Marchetii Lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and offers the student the opportunity to travel to the United States for added research experience. This project is suitable for a student with a strong background in Microbiology/Molecular Biology, Chemistry or Marine Science to learn and apply sophisticated techniques and reveal new and exciting information about the role of iron-chelating bacterial polymers in controlling primary productivity in the global ocean.

Informal enquiries to Dr Tony Gutierrez ([Email Address Removed]). Applicants should attach a CV, cover letter and provide contact details of two to three potential referees.