Background
We are looking for a PostDoc as part of a project funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), titled “Marine ice – a sleeping iron giant in the Southern Ocean?”. The project investigates marine ice, found at the bottom of some shelf ice bodies around Antarctica, as a potential source of micronutrients and trace elements to the Southern Ocean.
The work takes place in the Marine Geochemistry section of the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, Germany. While a considerable part of the analyses has already been completed, a detailed investigation on the availability of trace elements for the marine environment from this source still stands out. Possible foci would be a study of the partitioning of trace elements between the dissolved and particulate forms, the reaction of the material to exposure to higher temperatures and to a more saline environment, the role of ligands for its micronutrient availability, or isotopic fingerprints of the material that would allow following it in Antarctic waters. While the primary focus of the project is set by the proposal, there is plenty of room for developing your own ideas, depending on your profile.
We offer excellent analytical facilities, including single- and multi-collector sector field ICP-MS, a femtosecond laser, state-of-the-art clean rooms, a unique research environment branching into virtually all aspects of polar and marine research, and a team that is open to pursuing new approaches in marine research.
Tasks
- clean processing of unique frozen sample material for experimental and analytical handling
- preconcentrating trace metals for analysis
- single- and multi-collector sector field ICP-MS analyses
- establishing the range of possible micronutrient release from marine ice under various conditions
- publishing results in peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
- completion of the PhD in Marine Chemistry or a related subject before starting the post
- some experience with work in a clean room environment
- ICP-MS experience
- demonstrated ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals
- a collaborative approach to lab work and publishing
- fluency in English is required
Desirable skills and knowledge
- experience with diffusive gradient thin films (DGT) or similar passive sampling techniques would be an asset.
- some knowledge of the German language is helpful
- laser ablation experience.
Further Information
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Walter Geibert (walter.geibert@awi.de).
This is a full-time position, limited to 18 months. It is also suitable for part-time employment. The salary will be paid in accordance with the Collective Agreement for the Public Service of the Federation (Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes, TVöD Bund), up to salary level 13. The place of employment will be Bremerhaven.
Postdocs have to register with AWI’s postdoc office PROCEED, thereby gaining access to a set of tailor-made career development tools.
The AWI is characterized by
- our scientific success – excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation – intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
- flexible working hours and the possibility of mobile working up to 50% of regular working hours
- health promotion and company fitness with EGYM Wellpass
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)
Equal opportunities are an integral part of our personnel policy. The AWI aims to increase the number of employees who are women, and therefore, strongly encourages qualified women to apply.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family in various ways and has received a number of awards as a result of this engagement.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application, including:
(1) a letter of motivation,
(2) a 1-page research plan
(3) CV and copies of relevant certificates (Ph.D. degree, studies, training)
(4) two letters of recommendation or the contact information of two references and
(5) a list of publications,
by April 30th, 2024, exclusively online,
Reference number: 24/48/D/Geo-b
For more information about the opportunity click here.