Lunds universitet, Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten, geologiska institutionen

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

One of the greatest marine environmental challenges today is deoxygenation, i.e., decreasing concentrations of dissolved oxygen ([O2]) in the world’s oceans, caused especially by warming, increased water stratification, and coastal eutrophication. Today’s marine environmental changes have created a need for a past context to understand their severity and potential outcomes. However, to use the marine geological record to provide context, we must improve the proxies used to reconstruct past seawater [O2]. Here our project can provide a significant contribution, as it focuses on improving proxies for deoxygenation in marine bottom waters, i.e. Mn/Ca and d13C measured in calcite shells of protists (foraminifera). We will: 1) analyze sets of field-collected surface sediment foraminiferal samples from two low-oxygen regions in the NE Atlantic and NE Pacific; 2) perform mesocosm studies on living foraminifera using novel techniques; 3) apply microanalytical techniques (incl. synchrotron X-ray methods) to field and experimental specimens; 4) genetically characterize foraminifera to minimize taxonomic uncertainty. The results can substantially advance the field of proxy calibration via a novel combination of biological processes and biomineralization studies. Improved bottom water [O2] reconstructions and uncertainty estimates will improve the paleoclimate community’s understanding of marine ecosystem sensitivity and support evidence-based environmental management strategies.

Job Assignment

The PhD student will work with field-collected samples from Gullmar Fjord, NE Atlantic and Santa Barbara Basin, NE Pacific, as well as conduct mesocosm experiments on benthic foraminifera subject to low-oxygen conditions. Both field - and experimental-based foraminifera will be isolated by the PhD student (via microscopy) and then analyzed for elemental composition using microanalytical techniques (e.g. Laser-ablation ICP-MS, Ion Micro-Probe together with SIMS, and mXRF).

Principal supervisor in the project is Prof. Helena L. Filipsson (Department of Geology, Lund University), co-supervisors are Dr. Joan M. Bernhard (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, USA) and Dr. Christine Barras (UMR CNRS LPG-BIAF, France).


Eligibility

The successful applicant is expected to hold a Master of Science degree (or equivalent) in Earth Sciences/Geology, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry or Biology, with a strong focus on marine sciences and/or significant experience in micro-analytical methods. Documented experience and interest in micropaleontology, paleoceanography and advanced geochemical methods (ICP analytical methods and/or synchrotron methods), together with experience in scientific publication in English, are strongly desired. Ability to work well independently and with others is a necessity, as are strong communication skills. Ability and interest to participate in field work at sea and in performing experimental work are essential. Furthermore the candidate must have the capability and interest to work in France (and/or USA) for longer time periods (weeks to months).

We offer one full-time PhD position for 4 years with Swedish social security benefits. The research subject is GeoBiosphere Sciences and the position will be located at the Department of Geology, Lund University. The application for the advertised position must include:

  • Letter of interest that describes the applicant’s background, interests and ambitions in relation to the project (one page).
  • CV comprising date of birth and complete listing of BSc and MSc grades, plus contact information of previous employers or internship advisors.
  • Academic transcripts.
  • A PDF file (or link for downloading) listing publications including Master’s or Bachelor’s theses.
  • Name and contact details of at least two references.


Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.

Type of employment Temporary position
First day of employment 2018-05-02
Salary Monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100 %
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2018/440
Contact
  • Helena L Filipsson, Professor, 046-222 8226, helena.filipsson@geol.lu.se
  • Dragana Voh, Personaladministratör, 046-222 7830, dragana.voh@cgbkansli.lu.se
Union representative
  • OFR/ST:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-222 93 62
  • SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds universitet, 046-222 93 64
  • SEKO: Seko Civil, 046-222 93 66
Published 14.Feb.2018
Last application date 07.Mar.2018 11:59 PM CET

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