The Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI) is a member of the Helmholtz Association (HGF) and funded by federal and state government. AWI focuses on polar and marine research in a variety of disciplines such as biology, oceanography, geology, geochemistry and geophysics thus allowing multidisciplinary approaches to scientific goals.
Postdoc in “Organic geochemical studies to unveil how a warmer-than-present Arctic Ocean looked like” (w/m/d)
Background
The position is part of the European Research Council Synergy Grant “i2B – Into The Blue”, which fosters collaboration between Ui T in Tromsø (Norway), NORCE Climate and Environment in Bergen (Norway), and the Alfred Wegener Institute – Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven (Germany). i2B aims to fill a major research gap in Arctic science by investigating processes, consequences, and impacts of past “greenhouse” (warmer-than-present) conditions. In i2B we will retrieve new, key Arctic geological archives of past warmth and employ climate models to bring our current knowledge about a warm Arctic beyond the state-of-the-art. The major strengths and aims of i2B are the expertise, knowledge, skills and planned synergies of our Arctic paleoclimate and modeling teams at Ui T, NORCE, and AWI.
A major pillar of i2B is to quantify the characteristics of a warm Arctic during key Quaternary interglacials (MIS 5e, 11c), and Pliocene and Miocene warm intervals. For this task, we are looking for a highly motivated and experienced colleague to conduct organic geochemical investigations into the biomarker inventory of sediment cores to provide crucial information on the Arctic Ocean’s past surface and subsurface conditions (e.g., sea ice cover, water temperature, primary productivity). You will work in a multidisciplinary team of geoscientists, paleoceanographers and climate modelers - all committed to teamwork and scientific excellence.
Your Tasks
- Carrying out sampling, sample pre-treatment and organic geochemical analyses
- Producing paleoenvironmental biomarker records across different time scales using Arctic Ocean sediment cores
- Contextualizing newly obtained data with existing paleoceanographic records
- Integrating organic geochemical proxy data with e.g., seda DNA records and climate model data
- Publishing and presenting the results of the project.
Your Profile
- Doctoral degree in Earth Sciences, Oceanography, Biogeochemistry, Climate Sciences, or a related field
- Very good knowledge of Arctic and sub-Arctic paleoceanography
- Strong experience in organic geochemistry – preferably in the field of sea ice reconstructions and paleothermometry
- Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications
- Interest in analytical instrumentation
- High degree of motivation and self-contained research
- Ability to develop research questions and hypotheses independently
- Willingness and ability to regularly discuss research data within the wider i2B team
- Excellent English skills, both written and oral
- Willingness to participate in sea-going expeditions.
Further Information
For any questions you may have, you are very welcome to get in touch with Juliane Müller (+49 471 4831-1238; juliane.mueller@awi.de).
The position is initially limited to two years with the option of an extension. The expected starting date is 1st November 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. 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 (100%). 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
- health promotion and company fitness with Hansefit and Wellhub
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.
We look forward to your application!
Please submit your application by October 1st, 2024, exclusively online.
Reference number: 24/166/D/Geo-b