PhD - Biodiversity and Climate Research

Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre

Frankfurt, Germany

 

Descripition

 

The successful candidate will be working with sedimentary climate archives (peat bogs and lakes) to infer information about past tropical and subtropical climate variability and its drivers. The methodological approach is based on biomarker analysis, a new and rapidly expanding field. Biomarkers (often referred to as "molecular fossils") are highly specific for their source organisms and contain information about the climatic conditions they were produced in (e.g. temperature, rainfall amount, pH, etc). Examples of biomarker analysis conducted in our lab include measurements of stable hydrogen (δD) and stable carbon (δ13C) isotope compositions of plant waxes as proxies for past rainfall and vegetation change, as well as alkenone-, Tex86-, and MBT/CBT paleothermometry. The successful candidate is welcome to choose additional biomarkers which can be either measured in our lab or during a research stay abroad.

 

Requirements

 

We are looking for a highly motivated and bright character with a profound background in organic (geo)chemistry and biology (preferably plant-ecophysiology), with a good understanding of climate interactions and interest in stable isotope geochemistry. An additional background regarding drivers of evolution and biodiversity is desired. Important for a successful completion of a doctorate in this research field (besides excellent intellectual and analytical skills) is to enjoy the complexity that comes along with a cross-disciplinary project, together with the willingness to push through intellectual challenges. An open and communicative attitudeis highly recommended in our multidisciplinary environment. Applicants should hold a Diploma or Master degree in Geosciences, Biology, or a related field. As this is an international working environment, applicants are highly advised to be fluent in English. The Goethe University offers the graduate qualifying program GRADE for further education and softskill training of PhD candidates. You will be trained in a range of analytical techniques including Gas Chromatography (GC), High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Mass Spectronomy (MS), and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectronomy (IRMS).

 

More information and applications

 

Employment will preferably begin on June, 1st 2013 and will be restricted until June, 30th 2014 with possible extension to a total of 3 years after positive evaluation. Salary and benefits are according to a public service position in Germany (TV-H E13, 50%). The Senckenberg Research Institute supports equal opportunity of men and women and therefore strongly invites women to apply. Equally qualified handicapped applicants will be given preference. The type of handicap should not prevent work needed to conduct the research. The duty station will be Frankfurt am Main, Germany. The employer is the Senckenberg Gesellschaft fuer Naturforschung. For details about the job opening please contact Dr. Eva Niedermeyer (eva.niedermeyer@senckenberg.de).

 

Please submit your application (reference #A39a) before May, 5th 2013. Applicants should send a cover letter, full CV, letter of motivation, list of publications (if any), and three references preferably by email to:

 

Herrn Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. V. Mosbrugger

Scientific Coordinator

Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre

Senckenberganlage 25

60325 Frankfurt

E-Mail: recruiting@senckenberg.de

 

Please quote vacancy number #A39a in your application. Applications in English are preferred; applications in German will also be accepted.