Researcher - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

One of the largest marine environmental challenges presently is deoxygenation, i.e. decreasing dissolved oxygen concentrations in the world oceans, caused especially by increased temperature and stratification. In coastal zones, additional processes such as human-induced eutrophication and circulation changes are also major contributors to the decrease in oxygen concentration in bottom waters and expansion of hypoxia ([O2 less than 2mg/l]. The present-day anthropogenically-induced environmental changes in coastal settings have created a need for a context to understand the severity and potential outcomes of such changes. This context can be derived from paleoenvironmental records during periods when comparable events happened in the past. In the Baltic Sea region, several periods of warmth and large environmental change have occurred since the most recent glaciation, and there is evidence that these periods were also marked by deoxygenation. Analyses of high-resolution proxy variables such as trace elemental composition of marine microorganisms with shells of calcium carbonates have made important contributions to our understanding of climate and environmental change on short and long time scales.

Job assignment
Trace element ratios, stable oxygen and carbon isotopes in foraminifera originating from the Baltic Sea –Skagerrak region shall be analyzed within the project together with analyses of mXRF and XAS data. The researcher shall assist in establishing the new facility TRACEP3 (TRACE Elemental Preparation facility for Proxy calibration and Paleo records of marine carbonates – plasma analytical and synchrotron X-ray spectroscopy methods). A limited amount of teaching within the researcher’s specialty may occur, including training PhD students in the above mentioned techniques. Results from the project shall be written up and published in peer-reviewed journals.

The project will be carried out within the framework of the Linnaeus environment “Centre for Studies of Carbon Cycle and Climate Interactions (LUCCI)”, www.lucci.lu.se

Desirable skills and Qualifications
The applicant must have a PhD degree in Earth Sciences with a strong focus on paleoceanography and micropaleontology. Documented, practical experience in foraminifera geochemistry analyses, including stable oxygen and carbon isotopes as well as trace elements by ICP-MS, in particular Boron, Uranium, Magnesium, is a necessity. Experience in developing new foraminiferal geochemistry proxy calibrations is desired. The applicant should have documented, practical experience in synchrotron light-based mXRF and XAS analyses on microfossil. A further requirement is demonstrated experience of scientific publication in English. The applicant needs to be experienced in working with samples from the Baltic Sea region as well as substantial experience of sea-going field work. It is of large importance that the applicant has excellent communication and organizational skills, a documented interest in scientific outreach, and the ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.