Postdoctoral researcher in paleomagnetism

The postdoctoral research position is associated with an ERC-project: PALEOCORE: Core dynamics on millennial timescales. Within this project we will develop new reconstructions of variations in Earth’s magnetic field and the fluid flow at the top of the core over the past few millennia based on palaeomagnetic data, e.g. from lake or marine sediments.

Work duties

The postdoctoral research project will focus on paleomagnetic analyses of previously collected sediment cores from Kerguelen and South Georgia Islands. This will inlcude:

• subsampling of sediment cores in Bergen, Norway,
• u-channel measurements at the Oregon State University paleomagnetic laboratory, USA,
• rock magnetic analyses at the Lund University laboratory
• post-processing of all the data.

The project will also include investigations of different types of distortions, due to changes in the depositional environment and/or coring induced deformations, that affect the geomagnetic field signal captured in sedimentary palaeomagnetic records. This work, which will be largely based around X-ray CT scans of the measured u-channels, will also involve defining practical parameterizations of identified distortions that can be used to model and correct for their effects on the data.

Finally, the project will develop PSV master curves for Kerguelen and South Georgia by combining all available data, taking advantage of the varying temporal resolution and different time spans that the records cover. This work will involve Bayesian tools developed by our research group to simultaneously improve the age-depth models of each record, using the paleomagnetic data to synchronize them in time.

Work environment

The postdoctoral position will be placed at the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at Lund  University. At the department we conduct research over a broad range of geoscience disciplines with extensive collaboration with both national and international institutions. With this collective atmosphere, we maintain a positive and stimulating work environment.

The department hosts and is surrounded by excellent infrastructure and professional staff in several support functions. Lund University is a government agency which means that you, as a postdoctoral researcher, get benefits including e.g., generous paid annual leave, and health promotion benefits.

Admission requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

We are looking for a creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with international researchers and the ability to work independently.

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.

Additional assessment criteria:

• Extensive experience with paleomagnetic analyses of sediments.
• Experience with sedimentological analyses using CT scans.
• Experience with age-depth modelling (c14 dates, stratigraphic correlation).
• Experience with Python or similar programming language.
• Documented very good oral and written proficiency in English.

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 for 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.

Contact

For more information about the position, please contact  Dr. Andreas Nilsson (andreas.nilsson@mgeo.lu.se).

Instructions on how to apply

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

• CV and publication list
• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how the research project aligns with your research background and future research plans (maximum 2 pages)
• Contact information of at least two academic reference
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and any other certificates/grades/documents that should be considered

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