Doctoral student in sedimentary geochemistry - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

A doctoral student position in Geobiosphere Science under the research topic of palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology is hereby announced at the Department of Geology, Lund University (LU), Sweden. The research project aims at improving our understanding of the emergence of planktonic calcification and its relation to seawater geochemistry changes.

The emergence of calcifying plankton in the oceans shifted the major carbonate production from the shallow seas to the open marine realm with large consequences on the carbonate saturation of the oceans and their buffering capacities. Evolution of the key organisms occurred during the Late Triassic. At the same time, the supercontinent Pangea started to break up, with large-scale tectonic reorganizations and significant changes in weathering and nutrient enrichment with major implications for marine biogeochemical cycles. Our understanding of the causes and effects of all these changes is still limited. This project intends to explore the hypothesized link between the changes in seawater chemistry, their causes and the emergence of planktonic calcification.

 Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which include participating in research projects and third-cycle courses. The work duties may also include teaching and other departmental duties.

The successful candidate will undertake research on Upper Triassic sediments. Some of the samples are already at the department, some will be acquired from fieldwork. Examples of the techniques/methods that can be used is:

1. petrographic and sedimentary characterisation via petrographic and scanning electron microscopy,
2. Li and Mg isotope geochemistry,
3. measurement of trace and minor elements in evaporites via Laser-Ablation-Inductively-Coupled-Plasma-Mass-Spectrometry.

 Work environment

The doctoral student position will be placed at the Department of Geology at Lund  University. At the department we conduct research over a broad range of geoscience disciplines. We promote respect and care for each other as well as collaboration within the department, and national/international institutions. With this collective atmosphere, we maintain a positive and stimulating work environment.

The Department of Geology hosts and is surrounded by excellent infrastructure such as a Field Emission SEM and EDS/EBSD-analysis laboratory, LA-ICP-MS and one of the world’s most advanced and powerful synchrotron light sources. Lund University is a government agency which means that you, as a doctoral student, get benefits including e.g., generous paid annual leave, and health promotion benefits, see https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/sites/www.lunduniversity.lu.se/files/benefits-lu-employees.pdf.

 Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Additional requirements:

• When starting, the applicant is expected to hold a university degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in geology or a closely related field of natural sciences.
• Documented very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• The PhD-project may include lab work at facilities abroad and in the field. It is expected that the PhD student can travel in order to conduct this work.

We are looking for a creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with international scientists and to work independently. The candidate should be able to carry out hands-on experiments both alone and in close collaboration.

The following merits are advantageous:

• Experience of research in the field of sedimentary geology, geochemistry or palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology.
• Experience of relevant fieldwork.
• Ability to understand and apply new and advanced instrumental techniques.
• Experience of using petrographic microscope, SEM, LA-ICP-MS and to work with isotope systems.

 Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycles. Special attention is paid to the following:

Fulfills the requirements listed above. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate research problems. Written and oral communication skills. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies.

Terms of employment

Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance HF (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

 Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter that explains your interest in the position and how the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. Additionally, within this cover letter, we kindly ask you to include a section (approximately half a page) stating the research direction you would like to focus on within the broader subject of palaeoecology and palaeoclimatology. This short outline serves to demonstrate your scientific interests and creativity, and can be different from this project. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate (if awarded at the time of application) or equivalent, a copy of the Master’s thesis (or equivalent, or a summary if the thesis is not completed at the time of application), and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts). While we ask you to include contact information for one to three references, actual letters of recommendation are not needed at this stage.

Candidates will be called for an interview before appointment.

We appreciate your interest in our position and look forward to receiving your complete application.