Post-doctoral fellow in planetary geosience - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description

A 2-year post-doctoral research position in geology under the research topic of planetary geoscience is hereby announced at the Department of Geology, Lund University (LU), Sweden.

In the research group that the successful candidate will join we perform research within two main fields of planetary geoscience – impact cratering and shock metamorphism in terrestrial rocks, and studies of the geologic evolution of other solid bodies in the inner Solar System.

The dominating overarching topic for research conducted in the group aims to improve our understanding of the collisional history of Earth (the inner Solar System) and the consequences for the biosphere by studying impact craters and their associated deposits. We address research questions under this theme primarily via three different topics; microstructural deformation tied to shock metamorphism in terrestrial impactites, characterization of impact craters (including e.g., geologic mapping and shock barometry), and meteoritics. We also conduct research on martian geologic evolution. The successful candidate will be doing research work that fits broadly within the following project:

• Earth’s impact cratering record – New approaches to recognizing impact structures

What crystallographic features in shocked minerals can we use to increase the ability to recognize eroded impact structures on Earth and constrain impact-processes in extraterrestrial samples? How can impact-induced mineral alterations be investigated with synchrotron- and neutron-based techniques?

We want to determine the detailed direction of research within the framework of this position together with the successful candidate.

Work duties

The main duty involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours.

The successful candidate will undertake research on terrestrial rocks from impact structures and shocked meteorites, the exact sample set depending on the direction of research. The research can also be partly focused on remote sensing data, such as datasets from instruments onboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (but should still be focused around the process of impact cratering). Examples of techniques/methods that can be employed is listed below.

(1) Petrographic and shock feature investigations, in order to constrain the characteristics and formation of microtextures as a consequence of shock-compression using petrographic microscopy, U-stage microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM); and (2) Use of state-of-the-art techniques available at the Max IV laboratory in Lund to further characterize crystallographic deformation, e.g., through X-ray diffraction. This also includes sample preparation using Focused Ion Beam.

Examples of work duties:

• Research within the subject area.
• Publication of results in international high-quality scientific journals.
• Attending project meetings and conferences.
• Supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.
• Depending on the direction of research: Field work.
• Writing of grant applications to cover certain activities such as analysis costs and conference participation.
• Teaching.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

The position is based in Lund, but may include laboratory work in other parts of Sweden or other countries. It is therefore expected that the candidate can travel.

Work environment

The 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, and offer both a Bachelor’s and Master’s program. The successful candidate will join a dynamic research group that presently consists of two teachers/researchers and four PhD students. We respect and care for each other.

At the Department of Geology we are surrounded by excellent infrastructure and professional employees in several support functions. These features include an administrative office, geolibrary, IT-department, laboratory assistants, and janitor. Lund University is a government agency which means that you 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.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD in Geology, Astronomy, or a closely related field within the Natural Sciences, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, such as if the applicant has been on parental leave, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier. The applicant does not have to have a completed PhD at the time of application for this position.

Additional requirements:

• A publication record commensurate with the career stage.
• Very good proficiency in both written and spoken English.
• Excellent communation skills, ability to work in a team but also independently, and to complete activities on time.

When starting, the applicant is expected to hold a PhD degree. Proven experience in scientific writing such as publications, essays, or equivalent, in English is essential. We are looking for a creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with members of the group in Lund as well as scientists in other countries and the candidate should be able to work independently and to carry out hands-on experiments, as well as in groups on a collaborative basis. The applicant should be committed and focused, and be able to take responsibility for parts of the larger research project.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Merits:

• Documented experience of research in the fields of impact cratering/shock metamorphism and/or other fields of planetary geoscience such as meteoritics or cosmochemistry.
• Experience working with advanced analytical techniques such as synchrotron- and/or neutron-techniques (that can be used to study geologic materials and is relevant for the project/group).
• Having published scientific papers in high-quality international journals relevant to the field of research (planetary geoscience).
• Ability to understand and apply new and advanced instrumental techniques in research.
• Experience working with a petrographic microscope, with or without U-stage, SEM/EBSD, TEM, FIB.
• Experience working with the types of materials to potentially be investigated in the research project: terrestrial impactites and/or meteorites.
• Experience analyzing and working with remote sensing data from other planetary bodies such as hyperspectral data used to interpret the mineralogy of the martian surface.
• Experience working with synchrotron- or neutron-based techniques for studying geologic materials.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

Terms of employment
This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.  

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and compiled into a single PDF-file containing:

• A cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the group’s research projects correspond to your interests and educational background.
• A motivation of maximum three pages (including any figures) summarizing how you would like to focus your research, should you end up the succesful candidate. This should also include a summary of past research topics/interests. This text could for example include a motivation for which specific area of studies of impact cratering that you would like to pursue, and an overview of some future research interests. This text serves to demonstrate your scientific interests and creativity, the actual research will be discussed together at the start of the position and may take a different path.
• CV.
• Publication list.
• Degree certificates (if awarded at the time of application) or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (e.g., grade transcripts).
• Contact information for two to three references, actual letters of recommendation are not needed.

Please do not send any original documents. You can also attach to the application a copy of your PhD-thesis (or equivalent, or a summary if the thesis is not completed at the time of application).

Candidates will be called for an interview before appointment. 

Welcome with Your application.