Deadline: 15/08/10
Open to: holders of a Master of Science in marine biology
Fund: gross salary of €4,012.00 + expenses
Applications are invited for an EU funded PhD programme at the Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), including secondments to industrial and university partners. Two positions are available starting from October 2010. The two PhD positions are for 36 months duration each.
This project is part of the European Marie Curie Network for Initial Training program CASE. The research focuses on marine biotic proxies and modeling of past climate changes in high northern latitudes. It will be implemented through a joint research project aiming to describe and identify the mechanisms and impacts of recent environmental changes in the Nordic Seas.
PhD project 1:
Focuses on bulk organic matter proxies to reconstruct surface water productivity changes during Holocene climate variability. The candidate will investigate the geochemical and sedimentological signatures of the sediments in the Trondheimfjorden area. Analyses of bulk organic properties, stable isotope geochemistry (¿13C, ¿15N), mineralogical properties (XRD), and inorganic geochemistry (ICP-AES, XRF) will be the main techniques to be applied during the project.
Additional experience in basic marine geological techniques (shallow seismics, multibeam bathymetry, physical properties, sedimentology) are desirable. Experience in the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) will be an advantage.
PhD project 2:
Focuses on the controlling mechanisms for organic matter sedimentation and preservation in the Barents Sea. The candidate will investigate the geochemical and sedimentological properties of recent and Holocene sediments, reconstruct surface water paleoproductivity changes, and study the organic carbon storage capacity of the Barents Sea shelf. The empirical approach is based on 210Pb geochronology, bulk organic and mineralogical properties, stables isotopes (¿13C, ¿15N), inorganic geochemistry (ICP-AES, XRF), and grain sizes. A modeling component will be included to see the effects of recent climate changes on the organic carbon storage potential in the Barents Sea.
Knowledge of statistics and the use of GIS (ArcGIS) will be an advantage. Experience in visualization tools and interpretation of multibeam bathymetric and shallow seismic data is desirable.
The projects will be carried out in close collaboration with industrial partners (Iso Analytical Ltd., AvaaTech X-ray Technology BV) and the Universities of Bordeaux, Plymouth, Amsterdam, Kiel, and Tromsø. The analytical part of the work will take place in co-operation with the University of Bordeaux and Iso Analytical Ltd. and will include the opportunity to work with the local team. The modeling part in PhD project 2 will take place in co-operation with SINTEF Petroleum Research in Trondheim.
Requrements:
To be eligible for these positions you must hold a Master of Science/Diploma or equivalent in marine geology and/or marine geochemistry and an appropriate education in physical sciences and an appropriate qualification in the English language. Experiences in the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS), of visualization tools, and in seismic interpretation is desirable.
Location:
The Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), based in Trondheim, is the central national institution for knowledge of the bedrock, mineral resources, surface deposits and groundwater of mainland Norway and of the near-surface geology of the Norwegian continental shelf. The Survey’s tasks include geological, geophysical and geochemical mapping, development and maintenance of databases, research, information activities and advice to governmental bodies and industry. The NGU staff of 220 includes representatives of 25 nationalities and 65% of the staff are scientists.
For general information about NGU’s organisation and mandate, please click here. We can offer a favourable working environment, unique scientific challenges and good possibilities for participation in international forums and in further education programmes.
Fundings:
The gross salary will be €4,012.00 per man/month for candidates only. Candidates will also be entitled to a gross monthly mobility allowance of € 656.00, a travel allowance based on the direct distance (in a straight line) between the place of origin and Trondheim in Norway payable each 12 months, as well as a career exploratory allowance of € 2,000.00 payable once according to the Marie Curie Actions Programme conditions. Gross salary means net salary plus all compulsory deductions under the Norwegian legislation.
Aplication:
Letters of application with CV including:
*a letter of your professional experience
*a statement of motivation (one A4 page)
* name, telephone, email address and mailing address of at least three professionals who can be contacted for references
The application should be sent to Jochen Knies, leader of the Quaternary Geology and Climate team at Jochen.knies@ngu.no.
For any further queries please contact project and team leader Jochen Knies (Jochen.knies@ngu.no);
or the Director of the Geoscience Division Øystein Nordgulen (oystein.nordgulen@ngu.no), tel. + 47 73 90 40 00
For more information click here or visit the official page