Postdoctoral position in Paleoceanography

The Research Center Dynamics of High Latitude Marine Ecosystems (IDEAL) invites applications from outstanding young scientists for a postdoctoral position in paleoceanography to participate in a research project aimed at reconstructing marine environmental change at various timescales in Antarctic and Subantarctic regions.

Job description

The candidate will integrate the team of the Center’s Research Line 1 Marine productivity in a changing ocean. He/she will be involved in multi-proxy studies aimed at reconstructing past trends in ocean productivity, circulation, sea ice variability, ocean temperature, and the impact of freshwater input from rivers and meltwater into Subantarctic (mainly Magellan region) and Antarctic marine systems, based on Quaternary high-latitude sediments. Micropaleontological analyses are key to the project, and hence the candidate is expected to have advanced knowledge in marine micropaleontology, mostly marine diatoms and diatom-based paleoceanographic reconstructions since the Southern Ocean represents a major sink of biogenic opal in the World Ocean.

The position will involve working in close collaboration with colleagues at our partner institution, the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (AWI-Bremerhaven).

Qualifications

  • A relevant PhD degree in Natural/Earth Sciences obtained within the past 5 years. Candidates who have recently submitted their PhD thesis and will obtain the degree before appointment are also eligible for the position.
  • A proven record in paleoclimate/paleoceanography research, demonstrated by publications in international peer-reviewed journals.
  • Demonstrated expertise in marine micropaleontology (mainly diatoms) is required.
  • Good knowledge of data processing and statistics.
  • Experience in working with marine sediment core records, preferably from high latitudes.
  • Interest in the application/interpretation of biomarkers and/or stable isotopes as tools for paleoceanographic reconstruction will be considered an advantage.
  • Previous sea-going experience is welcome.
  • Proficiency in English is required as well as excellent organization and communication skills. An interest in achieving a basic understanding of Spanish is expected.


Application

The application must include:

  • Letter of motivation.
  • Statement describing previous research experience including field and laboratory skills, and future research interests.
  • Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications indicating journal papers that are registered in ISI Web of Science.
  • Names and contact information of at least two referees.
  • Copy of PhD diploma, as well as any other material that can document qualifications at the postdoctoral level.

Applications should be submitted to centro.ideal@uach.cl referencing “Application to RP1-IDEAL postdoctoral position paleoceanography”.

Closing date for applications: 20 January 2018

Salary and conditions of employment

  • Duration of the contract is 2 years[i] (with possibility of extension depending upon performance).
  • Annual salary is $19.200.000 Chilean Pesos before taxes (approximately US$ 30,000/25.500 Euros, depending on exchange rate).
  • Foreign candidates will need to obtain a VISA from the local Chilean consulate before moving to Chile.

The position will be based at the University of Concepción (IDEAL’s associate institution), city of Concepción, Bio-Bio Region, Chile, with ample possibility to travel to Valdivia/Punta Arenas, and the chance to participate in expeditions to the Antarctic Peninsula and Subantarctic fjords of the Magellan region.

The successful candidate will be joining the Paleoceanography laboratory team at the Department of Oceanography of the University of Concepción, which offers a creative and interdisciplinary research environment.

*The Administration reserves the right to declare the current call desert in case none of the candidate fulfills the requirements.

Starting date: May/June 2018

Further information

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Carina Lange (clange@udec.cl)

The Center IDEAL is financed by the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) of Chile, through the Fund of Research Centers in High-priority Areas (FONDAP). It is led by the Austral University of Chile (UACh), being its associate institutions the University of Concepción (UdeC) and the Regional Center of Quaternary Studies (CEQUA) in Punta Arenas. Further information about IDEAL can be found at: https://centroideal.cl/en

[i]  Funding depends on budget availability by CONICYT.