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.

It is widely recognized that the emergence and expansion of silica biomineralization in the oceans has affected evolutionary competition for dissolved Si (DSi). This resulted in changes in the global biogeochemical cycles of silica, carbon and other nutrients that regulate ocean productivity and ultimately climate. Today, low DSi reflects its efficient uptake by pelagic silicifiers, principally diatoms. However, little is known about how shifting DSi concentrations from biological uptake have changed in the oceans during the last billion years of Earth’s history. In addition, the inputs of DSi, especially from weathering and tectonic processes, has varied over time. The major goal of the overall project is to investigate the interactions between biosilicification in organisms and the environment and how these interactions have evolved through Earth’s history.
For more information see Conley et al. 2017, Frontiers in Marine Science (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2017.00397).

Tasks
The Post Doctoral research is part of a larger interdisciplinary research project in collaboration with scientists from Jarone Pinhassi’s research group at the Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial model Systems (EEMiS) at Linnaeus University providing expertise in ecology, evolution, and microbiology.

The research will utilize stable isotope measurements of biosilicification in fossil material from deep time together with supporting geochemical and geological proxies. Stable isotopes will be measured by both ICP-MS and by SIMS. The geochemical data will be interpreted in the framework of depositional and diagenetic timing of Si precipitation provided by geological observations to explore the changes in environmental and oceanic DSi concentrations through time.

Qualifications

  • The candidate must hold a PhD in the geosciences, including Geology, Biogeochemistry, Oceanography or another closely related field.
  • The award of the PhD degree should not be more than three years.
  • Practical experience with relevant analytical techniques (multi-collector ICP-MS, ion exchange chromatography) and experimental geochemistry is an advantage.
  • Knowledge of stable isotope geochemistry is a requirement and experience in the use of SIMS is preferable.
  • The candidate should have the ability to work at other locations (weeks to months) including the University of Bristol, UK and the Natural History Museum, Stockholm for the measurement of stable isotopes.
  • The candidate should be fluent in written and spoken English.
  • In addition, the candidate should have good communication skills and the ability to work in a research group (team work), but also independently.

Application
The application shall contain the following, a CV, a cover letter and a copy of your PhD exam.

Type of employment Temporary position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment According to agreement, duration two years
Salary Fixed monthly salary
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100
City Lund
County Skåne län
Country Sweden
Reference number PA2018/4071
Contact
  • Daniel Conley, professor, +4646-2220449, daniel.conley@geol.lu.se
  • Tina Olsson, Human Resource Officer, +4646-2229562, tina.olsson@science.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 10.Dec.2018
Last application date 15.Jan.2019 11:59 PM CET

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