PhD position in GEOMAR

PhD student position within the DFG-funded project “Two million year history of the Indian Monsoon' at Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Research Unit Paleoceanography


The project will use the unique long sediment cores obtained by the IODP vessel JOIDES Resolution in the Andaman Sea to examine the past variability of Indian Monsoon precipitation on the Indian sub-continent and directly over the ocean. A multi-proxy approach including foraminifera shell geochemistry (trace elements/Ca ratios, radiogenic (Nd) and stable O and C isotopes by mass spectrometry), bulk sediment chemistry from XRF scanning and clay mineralogy will be employed. These proxies will reveal changes in continental weathering, runoff and direct precipitation on orbital timescales for the last 2 million years filling a fundamental gap in our understanding of the Indian Monsoon in the past. More detailed studies will examine variations on millennial timescales for the last glacial and deglaciation, and the novel application of single foraminifera shell geochemistry will allow variability on inter-annual and seasonal timescales to be investigated for selected intervals. All these data are needed to help improve models and predictions of the Indian Monsoon and the broader Asian Monsoon which affect the lives of billions of people.

A highly motivated and enthusiastic Ph.D. candidate interested in isotope geochemistry and chemical paleoceanography is encouraged to apply. For more information please contact Dr. Ed Hathorne, Tel. +49 (0)431 600-2249, email: ehathorne(at)ifm-geomar.de

Deadline- 19th Nov, 2012.

Postdoc position in the field of Physical Oceanography/Marine Biogeochemistry

The Helmholtz-Institute for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) invites applications for
a Postdoctoral Position in the field of Physical Oceanography and/or Marine Biogeochemistry
with a starting date of September 1, 2013 or until the position is filled.

The position is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft as part of the Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 754: Climate – Biogeochemical Interactions in the Tropical Ocean.

The research interests of the applicant should combine aspects of physical oceanography as well as biogeochemistry. The candidate will quantify the exchange of solutes, in particular those of nutrients and oxygen, between the benthic and pelagic environment of the oxygen minimum zones off Peru and Mauritania and determine benthic nutrient turnover rates. Data from an extensive observational program using state of the art observatories will be available for analysis and interpretation during the course of the project. The aim of the investigations of the candidate will be to improve the understanding of the contribution of solutes released from or taken up by the sediments to the solute budgets of the OMZs and to the primary production
within the ocean mixed layer at the continental margins off Peru and Mauritania.

A PhD in Physical Oceanography, Marine Chemistry or Marine Biology is required. Applicants with a PhD in Marine Chemistry/Biology should have fundamental knowledge in Physical Oceanography while applicants with a PhD in Physical Oceanography should have fundamental knowledge of Marine Biogeochemistry. The job holder will be expected to participate on research cruises to the Peruvian and Mauritanian oxygen minimum zones.

The full-time position is available until 31st December 2015 starting immediately. The salary will be according to the E13 TVöD pay scale. For additional information about the position please contact Dr. Stefan Sommer
(ssommer@geomar.de) or Dr. Marcus Dengler (mdengler@geomar.de). Detailed information about the Collaborative Research Center 754 can be found under http://www.sfb754.de

Postdoc position in GEOMAR

A post-doctoral position is available at the Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel
(GEOMAR), Germany within the German Research Foundation (DFG) collaborative research
centre (SFB) 754: Climate-Biogeochemical Interactions in the Tropical Ocean on the topic:
Simulation of N, P and Fe cycles in sediments underlying oxygen minimum zones

The candidate will develop an empirical diagenetic model to predict how oxygen depletion
affects the flux of N, P and Fe from the sea floor. Applicants should have a solid background
in biogeochemical processes and early diagenesis. The model will be coupled to an existing
global circulation model developed within the project (www.sfb754.de), and an expertise in
subsurface transport processes, programming and numerical modelling techniques would be
highly beneficial. Willingness to participate in ship expeditions and data collection for
developing the model is required.

The full-time position is available until 31st December 2015 starting immediately.

For further information please contact Dr. Andrew Dale (adale(at)geomar.de) or Dr. Christian
Hensen (chensen(at)geomar.de).

Summer School on Biogeodynamics and Earth System Sciences

Details at http://www.istitutoveneto.org/bess/

Last date of application: 30th April, 2012.

PhD position in Microbial methane consumption in contrasting ocean environments

Project Title
Microbial methane consumption in contrasting ocean environments: effects of elevated seepage and
geochemical boundary conditions

Job Description 
A 3-year PhD position within the framework of a joint Swiss-German research project on microbial methane consumption in the ocean. The candidate will be based at the University of Basel, Switzerland (Department of Environmental Sciences, Stable Isotope Geochemistry and Aquatic Biogeochemistry Group), but extended sojourns at the Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR) are planned. The focus of the position will be to assess microbial methane oxidation in ocean sediments and the water column in relation to (changing) biogeochemical boundary conditions. The research will involve field sampling onboard international, seagoing research vessels as well as laboratory work in Basel and Kiel. The candidate will be exposed to (and trained in) a wide range of analytical methods including lipid biomarker-, radio-tracer- and stable isotope assays as well as microbiological techniques for determining pathways and rates of methane oxidation, and the microbial communities involved. Students with a background in Environmental- /Geo-Sciences, Biogeochemistry, Biology or Analytical Chemistry, and with interests in a highly multidisciplinary work environment are encouraged to apply.

Academic requirement 
Masters/Diploma degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject for the project.

Application 
Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for two references via e-mail to Dr. H. Niemann, Dept. of Environmental Sciences, University of Basel, Switzerland (helge.niemann@unibas.ch).

Application Deadline: 20th February 2012
Interview Date: beginning of March 2012
Start Date: April 2012

Contact 
Dr. Helge Niemann
Dept. Environmental Sciences, University of Basel
Bernoullistrasse 30, 4056 Basel, Switzerland
phone: ++41-61-2673615
e-mail: helge.niemann@unibas.ch
http://pages.unibas.ch/environment/index_e.html

Prof. Dr. Tina Treude
Department of Marine Biogeochemistry
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel (GEOMAR)
Wischhofstr. 1-3, 24148 Kiel, Germany
phone: ++49-4316002837
e-mai: ttreude@geomar.de
www.ifm-geomar.de/~ttreude

Post-Doc Position at the University of Uppsala, Sweden

The primary objective of the work is to develop and validate remote sensing based method for estimating surface water pCO2 and CO2 exchange between water and atmosphere using other satellite products.

The position involves downloading and work with various satellite products, developing methods for in-situ observation in the Baltic Sea region and developing satellite algorithms. The applicant should have experience in using remote sensing data and knowledge in air-sea interaction processes. This is primarily a research position. Teaching will be included to a maximum of 10% of full time.

 

Eligibility: To be eligible for a position as Post-doc, the applicant must hold a PhD or equivalent. The applicants PhD degree must have been obtained no more than three years prior to the application date. The PhD can be older than three years if there are special circumstances. Such special circumstances can be periods of sick leave, parental leave etc, which are deducted from the three-year period. The requirement for this position is a PhD in meteorology/oceanography or corresponding competence.

 

Ranking criteria: In ranking eligible candidates, special importance will be given to scientific skills in relation to the subject area specified. Special weight will be given to earlier experiences in analysing remote sensing data and of working with air-sea interaction processes. In filling this position the university aims to recruit the person who, in the combined evaluation of competence, skills and documented qualifications, is judged most suitable to carry out and develop the work-in-hand and to contribute to a positive development of the department.

 

How to apply: The application should be written in English and should include a short description of the applicant and his/her research interests. It should also include a CV, copies of relevant examination certificates, a copy of the PhD Thesis and publications as well as other relevant documents (e.g. letters of recommendation or names of reference persons).
Uppsala University is striving to achieve a more even gender balance and women are especially encouraged to apply. For more details please visit:

http://www2.personalavd.uu.se/ledigaplatser/486postdokeng.html

USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

A postdoctoral research fellowship is available to examine controls on biological productivity in the Northern Gulf of Alaska using in-situ, time-series observations, available through the USGS Mendenhall postdoctoral fellowship program.  This is a region influenced by ongoing glacial retreat, where there have been comparatively few oceanographic observations.

The fellow would be housed at either the USGS in Woods Hole, MA or at the University of Washington School of Oceanography in Seattle, WA.  A research proposal is required in advance of the February 21 deadline.  More details are available at http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/2013/opps/opp1.html. For more information, please contact John Crusius -- tel:             (206) 543-6978      ; email: jcrusius{at}usgs.gov