Ph. D. Studentship - Trace element- and isotope geochemistry of biogenic and abiogenic carbonates
Place of employment
Department of Geological Mapping.
Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Ministry of Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Date of employment
from March 1st, 2005 until 28th February 2008
Job description
We are looking for a Ph.D. student with training in geology/mineralogy/geochemistry to work within the CASIOPEIA project of the EUROCLIMATE research programme. The main goal of the CASIOPEIA project is the investigation of the thermodynamic and paleo-oceanographic principles of trace element and Ca-isotope fractionation during biogenic and abiogenic precipitation of calcium carbonates. CASIOPEIA is a multidisciplinary, collaborative research project between IFM-GEOMAR Kiel (Germany), Free University Amsterdam (Netherlands), Graz University of Technology (Austria), and GEUS.
The main tasks will be:
- Theoretical investigations on the fractionation of trace elements and isotopes of biogenic and abiogenic precipitaed CaCO3 polymorphs using the data established by our collaboration partners and existing data.
- The study of trace element and isotope distributions in biologically precipitated greenlandic carbonates (e.g. bivalves).
- The study of the development of trace element and isotope signatures in biologically precipitaed carbonates throughout the quaternary (e.g. bivalves).
This project allows the succesful candidate to learn and apply state-of-the-art theoretical and analytical techniques in a multidisciplinary, international research environment.
The availability of this position depends on the funding of all four institutions involved by their respective funding organisations in the CASIOPEIA project.
Qualifications
Preferred candidates should have a diploma or MSc degree in geology, paleontology, mineralogy, geochemistry or equivalent. A keen interest in applying geochemical and thermodynamic methods to marine geochemistry is important; training and experience in either analytical-, theoretical-, or marine geochemistry and thermodynamics are an advantage, but are not a prerequisite.
Department of Geological Mapping
The department comprises sixteen geologists and technical academic staff and an administrative and technical staff of nine. The department has a scanning electron microscope, a thin section laboratory, and a chemical laboratory with an XRF spectrometer and both a quadrupole and a high-resolution ICP-MS with laser ablation facilities. Within its geodata and computing centre, GEUS is providing state of the art computer modeling facilities.
GEUS is part of Geocenter Copenhagen, which has a large common pool of research facilities including a new electron microprobe, a multi-collector ICP-MS, two thermal-ionization MS, and XRF facilities. The Department of Geological Mapping has extensive collaboration with scientists from universities and research institutions both in Denmark and abroad.
Salary and employment conditions
Terms of payment and appointment according to agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The appointment will be on the basis of scientific qualification.
The Ministry of Environment and Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and women are especially encouraged to apply.
Contact
Further information about the vacant position can be obtained from Head of Department Christian Knudsen (phone +45 3814 2250; email ckn@geus.dk), or senior advisor Dirk Frei (phone +45 3814 2264; email df@geus.dk)
Application
Applications marked 'Ph. D. Student GEUS j.no. 0361-020' must be available at GEUS no later than January 31th, 2005, at 12.00 Danish time. Material received after this time will not be taken into account. Applications via email will be accepted with the same deadline and should be sent to geus@geus.dk.
The application should include a statement of research interests, a CV, sufficient information about your scientific training, and names and addresses of potential referees. All the above material is to be submitted in four copies. If you do not have 4 complete copies we urge you to send just one copy printed on one-sided paper and unstapled. A committee of three scientists will evaluate the qualifications of all applicants.