Jobs:Job-00154
Apply before: 9 June 2020
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Posting:
Position: Postdoctoral positions
Apply before: 9 June 2020
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The main aim of the COOLER project is to advance our understanding of the couplings between tectonic and climatic processes through the development of novel tools and numerical models that record erosion rates and relief changes with unprecedented resolution and link these to potential driving mechanisms. Specifically, the project will (1) develop new high-resolution, ultra-low temperature 4He/3He thermochronology by setting up a new laboratory in Potsdam; (2) adapt existing numerical modelling tools to include the most recent knowledge on the kinetics of thermochronological systems and developing sample-specific model predictions; (3) couple these tools to glacial landscape-evolution models; (4) study potential feedbacks between glacial erosion and tectonic deformation in carefully selected relevant field areas.
Post-doc position 1: development of 4He/3He thermochronology.
You will be responsible, together with a research engineer, for setting up, testing, and developing the new 4He/3He thermochronology facility in Potsdam. A new high-resolution noble-gas mass spectrometer, including a preparation line, sample chamber and diode-laser heating system is being acquired through the project. Collaboration with the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie (HZB) is being developed for proton-irradiation of samples. You will be responsible for testing the irradiation and measurement protocols on “standard” samples as well as on initial samples collected from targeted field sites. You will further be involved in the supervision and mentoring of PhD students who will start their projects focusing on specific target areas in a later stage of the project.
You have a PhD in geochemistry, Earth Sciences, chemistry or similar fields and you have demonstrable experience with noble-gas mass spectrometry. Preferably, you have experience in 4He/3He thermochronology. Experience with irradiation of solid-state samples is a plus. You have good oral and written communication skills in English, good interpersonal skills, and are comfortable working in a team.
Post-doc position 2: developing new numerical modelling tools
You will be responsible for redesigning the Pecube code to enable sample-specific thermochronometer predictions using the most recent quantitative kinetic models for He diffusion and fission-track annealing in minerals, including 4He/3He degassing spectra. Parallel to the development of new prediction capabilities in Pecube, you will work on coupling the glacial erosion model iSOSIA to Pecube and running initial coupled models to develop the conceptual framework that will guide field studies and sample collection. This will be done in close collaboration with the university of Aarhus (Denmark) and will include a 2-month stay in Aarhus.You will further be involved in the supervision and mentoring of PhD students who will start their projects focusing on specific target areas in a later stage of the project.
You have a PhD in Earth Sciences, geophysics or similar fields and you have demonstrable experience with numerical modelling. Preferably, you have experience in quantitative interpretation of thermochronology data, using Pecube or other modelling tools, as well as experience with landscape-evolution modelling. You have good oral and written communication skills in English, good interpersonal skills, are comfortable working in a team and developing collaborations with other institutes.
Both positions are available from October 01, 2020 and are limited to a term of two years. The salary is determined by the collective bargaining agreement for public employees in Germany (TV-L 13 Ost). The position is for 40 hours per week (full-time contract).
Applications should include the following components: CV, names of two referees, letter of motivation, a record of academic degrees including a transcript of records. Applications should be sent in a single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Peter van der Beek (pvdbeek@geo.uni-potsdam.de). The deadline is 9th June 2020.
