LOCATION: ROYAL NIOZ – TEXEL (THE NETHERLANDS)
VACANCY ID: 2021-59
CLOSING DATE: October 31st , 2021.
THE PROJECT
Many marine organisms secrete carbonate minerals, and their post-mortem dissolution mitigates climate change and ocean acidification by neutralising excess CO2. Current dissolution models are based on seawater’s saturation state (Ω). However, these models cannot explain a large gap in the biogeochemical alkalinity budget that indicates that dissolution happens where Ω suggests it cannot. Furthermore, preliminary experiments show that aspects of seawater composition not captured by Ω have an unsuspected influence on dissolution. The main aim of this project, called BEYΩND, is to progress ‘beyond Ω’ by determining how these aspects affect dissolution in the ocean, with implications for the carbon cycle and Earth’s resilience to rising CO2. The approach will include a variety of laboratory work (e.g. seawater chemistry measurements, atomic force microscopy, dissolution experiments), fieldwork (research cruise) and computational modelling (e.g. COMSOL Multiphysics, Python, transport matrix modelling). Training will be provided for each aspect. The principal supervisors are Dr Matthew Humphreys (NIOZ Texel) and Dr Mariëtte Wolthers (UU), and the work will be supported by Dr Olivier Sulpis (UU), Dr Helen King (UU) and Dr Jamie Wilson (University of Bristol).
THE CANDIDATE
We are looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate holding a Masters degree in Geology/Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Oceanography, Environmental Sciences, or a related field. Laboratory and/or coding experience would be advantageous. Your application should show how your knowledge and experience will help you succeed in this position. You will be expected to participate in multi-week sampling expeditions on research ships. Components of the research will take place in both locations (Texel and Utrecht). Due to the international character of our research, good command of spoken and written English is essential (at least C1 CEFR proficiency level, all IELTS components at 6+). You should be able to start the position by 1st January 2022.
In the vocabulary of the VSNU Competence Instrument for the Dutch Universities (see here), the most essential competences are Capacity to learn, Conceptual capacity, and Accuracy. Other desirable competences include Written fluency, Analytical capacity, Planning and Organising, and Presenting.
We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse background, Â including LGBTQI+ communities, to join us.
CONDITIONS
Employment of this position at Royal NIOZ is by NWO (The Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research). We offer a position for a period of 1 year (fulltime). At the end of this first year, the employment will be extended for a fixed-term of a maximum of 4 years, if the first year evaluation held with the employee is positive. The salary is compliant to the CAO-OI (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes), a pension scheme, a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8,3%, flexible work arrangements and arrangements and 42 days of holiday leave (fulltime position).
You may expect attractive secondary employment conditions. We offer generous relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Matthew Humphreys or Mariëtte Wolthers . For additional information about the procedure, please contact Sigrid Moerbeek (senior HR advisor).
For more information about the Department of Ocean Systems at NIOZ Texel, see here; for more information about the Department of Earth Sciences at Utrecht University see here.
If you are interested in this position, please visit our website and apply for this job by submitting a motivation letter with your CV and the names and contact details of three referees. You may decide whether to submit your CV in a traditional or narrative format.
For further information about the position, follow this link.