The Palaeoclimatology Lab of the Marine and Environmental Geology group (GEOMA) of the Centro de Investigación Mariña (Marine Research Center, CIM) of the Universidade de Vigo (Vigo, Spain) seeks applications for a 12-month postdoctoral research position that will be based at the Universidade de Vigo.
The researcher will be responsible for developing novel geochemical approaches to provide quantitative reconstructions of past ocean and climate conditions within the framework of the project TRIOPACC, funded by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spanish Government) and other projects of the Palaeoclimatology Lab. The successful candidate will work with Dr Gianluca Marino and other project partners based either at the Universidade de Vigo and/or at foreign institutions, such as the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH, Switzerland), the University of Arizona (USA), and the Australian National University (Australia).
Project and work description
The TRIOPACC project addresses the need for compelling observations to inform the debate about the consequences of future warming scenarios, including politically agreed global warming targets of 1.5°C to 2°C above pre-industrial. It centres on the Indian Ocean, where deep waters are taking up a considerable amount of the heat stored in the ocean over the past decades, while surface warming of its tropical sector is progressing faster than in any other ocean basins. The project employs a full suite of traditional and cutting-edge geochemical tools and rigorous statistical assessment of uncertainties to document: (i) the surface temperature evolution of the tropical Indian Ocean and of its deep counterpart in unprecedented resolution over the last 500,000 years; and (ii) the nature of the seasonal and interannual variability during climate states both colder and warmer than pre-industrial. The postdoctoral researcher will be leading the development of novel geochemical approaches (e.g., quantification of carbonate minerals in marine sediments, development of run-off and/or dissolution proxies, clumped isotope measurements in marine carbonates) to obtain quantitative analysis of past ocean and climate change. The successful candidate will work with the Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators and the rest of the (foreign) project (TRIOPACC) partners.
We are looking for a highly motivated post-doctoral researcher with a PhD in geochemistry and/or in a related field. Experience in stable isotope geochemistry, mineralogical analysis, and thermodynamic and kinetic geochemical processes will be valued. We expect the candidate to have a strong interest in quantitative analysis of (palaeoclimate) data in acquiring and/or developing cutting-edge geochemical techniques and to work closely with the with the project members to address key questions in palaeoclimate research. We expect that the candidate is highly independent and at the same time to be able to proficiently work in a team.
Additional responsibilities will include:
- Producing work of publishable quality for appropriate high-quality peer reviewed journals
- Presenting papers at national and international conferences
- Mentoring junior researchers and potentially co-supervising PhD students
- Visiting foreign project partners at their institutions
- Contributing to the team outreach activities to help disseminating the project’s results.
Salary and Benefits
The position is full time (35 hours per week) and will have a 12-month duration, and is available from September 2020 (expected starting date: September 1st 2020). There are no teaching duties. Depending on the researcher’s track record, relevant background and experience, annual salary commensurate with qualifications, will range between €20,000 and €25,000 gross. Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Gianluca Marino, email: gianluca.marino@uvigo.es.
Requirements
- PhD in geochemistry and/or in a related field
- Well level of Spanish and English
Application and selection process
The candidates are invited to send their application by e-mail to gianluca.marino@uvigo.es with the following subject: “Palaeoclimatology Lab postdoc application: applicant’s initial(s) and family name”. The deadline for applications is August 2nd 2020 at 8 p.m. (Central European Time Zone, CET). Additional candidates will be considered once the deadline is expired only if the position remains unfilled.
The following documentation should be attached in a single, merged PDF file:
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (2 pages total, in English) indicating previous research experience, analytical and modelling skills, publications, projects, training, organization of scientific activities;
- A 1-page cover letter summarising your motivation to apply for this postdoc position, how your current research fits in the project, and how the position would result in a mutual benefit for the candidate and the project team;
- Contact information for 2 academics that could act as referees. Support letters will be required at a later stage.
All candidates will receive a message confirming receipt of the application. All candidates complying with the required qualifications will be evaluated by the Evaluation Committee, based on the qualifications that are most relevant to the project’s objectives. The Evaluation Committee will be formed by the research members of the University of Vigo Gianluca Marino, Ana Bernabeu and Daniel Rey, and will be in charge of the selective process, within the deadlines established in the Regulations of the Universidade of Vigo for temporary employment recruitment. Top candidates will be shortlisted and invited for the interview. The final decision criteria will be based on academic merits (65%) and on the interview (35%).
The Universidade de Vigo hires on basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, they will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Note that if the successful applicant is neither a European citizen nor a permanent resident of Europe, he/she must be issued a work permit prior to commencing the position. Due to the current situation related with the COVID-19 pandemic, we expect to be able to fulfil the detailed deadlines. However, incorporation of the successful candidate will be either campus-based or through distance (remote) working depending on the COVID-19 situation. Remote working will be complemented by online meetings with the Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators and the rest of the (foreign) project (TRIOPACC) partners.