GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel is a foundation under public law jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany (90%) and the State of Schleswig-Holstein (10%). It is one of the internationally leading institutions in the field of marine research.
Through our research and our commitment to the transfer of knowledge and technology, we contribute significantly to the preservation of the function and protection of the ocean for future generations.
The research division Dynamics of the Ocean Floor is offering a PhD position (m/f/d) in Igneous Isotope Geochemistry. The employment is initially for four years, the desired starting date is 1st May 2025.
Job Description
The advertised position is part of the ERC Synergy Grant T-SECTOR, a multidisciplinary project hosted by GEOMAR to investigate the effects of climate (sea-level changes caused by glacial cycles) on volcanism, hydrothermalism and crustal production at mid-ocean ridges (MOR) over the past 1.5 Ma. The aim of the project is study time series from slow- to fast-spreading ocean ridges to test the influence of sea level fluctuations on MOR processes and will provide the first high-resolution time series of ocean ridge magmatism on a global scale, opening up a new frontier in scientific exploration.
The doctoral candidate will be working on the geochemistry of volcanic rocks and glasses from the East Pacific Rise recovered during seagoing expedition SO314 with the German research vessel SONNE. Active participation in the SO314 expedition (from Papeete/Tahiti to Caldera/Costa Rica) and expeditions to the Cleft segment of the Juan de Fuca Ridge are an integral part of the research position. The geochemical work focuses on analyzing and evaluating temporal variations in Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf isotope ratios of sediment-hosted volcanic glasses to evaluate fluctuations in source composition through time. Combined with major and trace element variations in the same glasses carried out at Harvard, variations in the degree of melting and differentiation in relation to glacial cycles will be evaluated. Complete geochemical analyses of whole rock igneous rock samples will also be conducted within the PhD position.
The successful candidate will be based in the group of Prof. K. Hoernle at GEOMAR specialized in the geochemistry of the marine igneous rocks. The researcher will closely collaborate with volcanologists, paleo-oceanographers and geophysicists at GEOMAR and petrologists (group of Prof. C. Langmuir) and climate scientists at Harvard University. GEOMAR provides a vibrant and international research environment with scientists working on many aspects of ocean science and the climate on a global scale.
State-of-the-art analytical facilities are available to the project. This includes a NEOMA MC-ICPMS, an iCAP TQ-ICPMS and new state of the art metal-free clean labs. The hydrothermal and magmatic systems groups at GEOMAR also run a TRITON Plus, a TI-BOX thermal ionization mass spectrometer (TIMS) and an electron microprobe analyzer (EMPA).
For this 4-year position within the ERC Synergy Grant T-Sector, we are looking for a highly motivated candidate who demonstrates the ability to work proactively in a team, possesses good communication abilities and organizational skills, and exhibits creative thinking.
Description:
- Careful sample preparation (e.g. microscopic inspection of glasses)
- Conduct analyses and interpretation of geochemical data on seabed volcanic rock and glass samples. This includes major and trace element but focusses on radiogenic Sr-, Nd-, Pb- and Hf isotope analyses.
- participate in T-SECTOR (SO314) and subsequent seagoing expeditions
- present research results at T-SECTOR meetings and international conferences
- write and publish manuscripts in international peer-reviewed journals
- interact closely with the T-SECTOR team, in particular with our collaborators at Harvard University
- contribute to project-related outreach activities
Qualification
Requirements for a successful application are:
- MSc or fulfillment of the conditions for a fast-track doctoral degree at the Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel*; preferably in igneous petrology & geochemistry (Applicants must have their degree by the start date.)
- Experience with data interpretation
- Fluency in spoken and written English
- Work experience with common IT-applications (e.g., word, excel, illustrator, etc.)
Desirable qualifications are:
- High interest and some experience in analytical geochemistry of igneous rocks
- Hands-on experience with working in laboratories
- Experience with presenting scientific results
- Experience with publishing scientific results
- Seagoing experience
At a workplace, directly on the Kiel Fjord with many leisure and recreational opportunities, we offer you:
- Good conditions for work-life balance: We offer, among other things, the possibility of mobile working and individual working time arrangements, vacation courses for the children of our employees, and good support in finding a place in a daycare center at the Kiel site
- Support services for professional and personal life situations
- An exciting work environment with the opportunity to provide important impetus for the development of sustainable solutions
- Exciting topics in an international environment
- Work in the field of marine and climate research, a forward-looking area with social significance
- 30 vacation days + additional time off at Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
- Company pension plan and capital-forming benefits
This is a part-time (75%) position and limited for 4 years. The position offers the possibility to obtain a doctoral degree. The salary depends on qualification and could be up to the class 13 TVöD-Bund of the German tariff for public employees. The position cannot be split but work times are flexible. The fixed-term contract shall comply with Section 2 Paragraph 1 of The Act of Academic Fixed-Term Contract (German WissZeitVG).
GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel seeks to increase the proportion of female scientists and explicitly encourages qualified female academics to apply.
GEOMAR is an equal opportunity employer and encourages scientists with disabilities to apply. Qualified disabled applicants will receive preference in the application process.
*The requirements for a fast-track PhD can be found in the Doctoral Degree Regulations (Rules) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences and the Faculty of Engineering at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.
Please send your application for this post no later than 15th November 2024 under the following link: Online application
As soon as the selection procedure has finished, all your application data will be removed according to data protection regulation.
For further information regarding the position and research unit please contact Kaj Hoernle (khoernle@geomar.de).
Additional questions will be answered if you send an e-mail to bewerbung@geomar.de. In doing so, please refer to the keyword “T-SECTOR: Magmatic Isotope – PhD”.
Find further information about this opportunity via this link.