Hello Molecular Biology students!
My name is Iria, and I am a former Molecular Biology student currently doing a PhD at LTH. I am reaching out to see if there are any students interested in working with us in the Water Microbiology group during Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026.
In this project, you will use qPCR to investigate contaminated sediments in Sweden. Due to the unregulated wastewater discharge from the pulp and paper industries into the sea and lakes, fiberbanks (anthropogenically caused fibre-rich sediments) have formed all across Sweden. Recently, they have gained attention as potential greenhouse gas (GHG) sources, emitting carbon dioxide and methane when microbes degrade the fibres anaerobically. But how, where, and how much?
Two students have already used qPCR to analyze fiberbank bacterial communities, focusing on methane producers, consumers, and antibiotic resistance genes in samples from lake Vättern.
This fall, new samples will be taken in the Kramfors area. You will work with us and several other researchers across Sweden to analyze the biology and chemistry of these sediments. You will help understand how methane production varies within different fiberbanks, and how it is linked to microbial communities. You will develop laboratory skills and gain an understanding of environmental microbiology.
In addition to myself and the PI of the group (Catherine Paul), there are other 2 PhD students and several Master’s or 10 week project students working together. We meet weekly to talk about all sorts of things related to our science (and sometimes other things too).
We are looking for someone who likes microbiology, data, and statistics, and with some qPCR experience. You will receive support throughout this process. You should be curious about biogeochemical cycles and the impact of climate change on GHG emissions.
If this project sounds interesting, please reply by email (iria.feijoo_rey@tvrl.lth.se) explaining why you are interested and if you are looking for 10 or 20-week projects. Please attach a CV in Swedish or English.
Iria Feijóo Rey
PhD Student/Doktorand
Water Resources Engineering | Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
LTH, Faculty of Engineering | Lund University
Visiting address: John Ericssons v 1