Post-doctoral fellow in Geology

Lunds universitet, Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten, geologiska institutionen

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 40 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

The Faculty of Science conducts research and education within Biology, Astronomy, Physics, Geosciences, Chemistry, Mathematics and Environmental Sciences. The Faculty is organized into nine departments, gathered in the northern campus area. The Faculty has approximately 1500 students, 330 PhD students and 700 employees.

The Department of Geology has a long and successful history of research with an international reputation throughout the entire geological field and offers nationally leading undergraduate programmes at Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. About 40 researchers/teachers and 20 research students are active at the department, which consists of two sub-departments: Quaternary Sciences and Bedrock Geology.

Subject description

It is widely recognized that the emergence and expansion of silica biomineralization in the oceans has affected evolutionary competition for dissolved Si (DSi). This resulted in changes in the global biogeochemical cycles of silica, carbon and other nutrients that regulate ocean productivity and ultimately climate. Today, low DSi reflects its efficient uptake by pelagic silicifiers, principally diatoms. However, little is known about how shifting DSi concentrations from biological uptake have changed in the oceans during the last billion years of Earth’s history. In addition, the inputs of DSi, especially from weathering and tectonic processes, has varied over time. The major goal of the overall project is to investigate the interactions between biosilicification in organisms and the environment and how these interactions have evolved through Earth’s history.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning.

The successful Post Doctoral candidate will investigate the impact of long-term climate variations on the global distribution and function of diatoms. It is expected that the project will incorporate elements of theoretical ecology, ocean biogeochemistry and paleoceanography. A new version of the cGENIE Earth System model (Ward et al. 2018, Geosci. Mod. Dev.), which couples plankton ecosystem and global biogeochemical cycles, will be used to look at the biogeochemical cycling of silica, including Si isotopes. The research will include incorporating variations in the inputs of DSi as well as changes in functional groups that utilize and respond to DSi in the marine environment. The model will be constrained by the timing of Si precipitation provided by geological observations to explore the changes in oceanic DSi concentrations and Si isotopes through geologic time.

Qualification 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 last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English
• The candidate must hold a PhD in the geosciences, including Biogeochemistry, Climate, Oceanography or another closely related field
• Demonstrable skills with relevance to biogeochemical or Earth system modelling. Experience with the cGENIE model is an advantage
• Experience with programming in Fortran, Matlab, Python or equivalent
• Experience in working with model-data analysis
• Knowledge of stable isotope geochemistry

The candidate should have the ability to work at other locations (weeks) including the University of Southampton, UK

In addition, the candidate should have excellent communication skills and the ability to work in a research group (team work), but also 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
• 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 of a maximum of 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, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Instructions on how to apply

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

• Résumé/CV, including a list of publications
• A general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages)
• Contact information of at least two references
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered 

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset. We kindly decline all sales and marketing contacts.