Postdoctoral Researcher in Paleomagnetic Analyses

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is consistently ranked among the world's top universities. It has around 47,000 students and more than 8,800 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of human life.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Gender equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations.

Research and education at the Department of Environmental and Geological Sciences (MGeo) address fundamental and applied questions about the Earth's past, present, and future climate and environment, including human interaction with nature and consequences for human well-being. MGeo develops and applies groundbreaking methods, models, and techniques in environmental science, Quaternary and solid geology, paleontology, physical geography, biodiversity and ecosystem science, remote sensing, geographic information science (GIS), and computational science in environmental and health studies to investigate processes ranging from the microscopic to the planetary, across all timescales.

The postdoctoral position is linked to an ERC project: PALEOCORE: Core dynamics on millennial timescales.

Within this project, we will develop new reconstructions of the Earth's magnetic field and flow at the top of the Earth's core using, among other things, paleomagnetic data from sediment cores.

Responsibilities

The research project will focus on paleomagnetic analyses of previously collected sediment cores from Kerguelen and South Georgia. This will include, among other things:

• sampling sediment cores in Bergen, Norway,
• measurements of u-channel samples in Oregon, USA,
• mineral magnetic analyses in Lund, and
• post-processing of all data.

The project will also include studies of various types of disturbances caused by changes in the depositional environment and/or deformations induced during sampling, which affect the magnetic field signal in the sediments. This work, which will largely be based on X-ray CT scans of the u-channel samples, will also involve developing practical parameterizations of identified disturbances that can be used to model and correct their effects on the data.

Finally, the project will develop PSV master curves for Kerguelen and South Georgia by compiling all available data and leveraging the varying temporal resolution and different time intervals that the archives cover. This work will involve Bayesian tools developed by our research group to simultaneously improve age-depth models for each archive, using paleomagnetic data to synchronize them in time.

Work Environment

The postdoctoral position will be located at the Department of Environmental and Geological Sciences at Lund University. At the department, we conduct research across a wide range of geoscientific disciplines with extensive collaboration with both national and international institutions. With this collective atmosphere, we maintain a positive and stimulating work environment.

The department has access to, and is surrounded by, excellent infrastructure and professional staff in several support functions. Lund University is a government agency, which means that as a postdoctoral researcher, you will receive benefits such as generous paid vacation and wellness benefits.

Eligibility

Employment as a postdoctoral researcher requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD by the employer, in the subject area of the employment, obtained no more than three years before the decision on employment. Under special circumstances, the PhD may have been obtained earlier.

We seek a creative person who thrives in a dynamic research environment. The project requires close collaboration with international researchers and the ability to work independently.

Assessment Criteria

This is a merit-based position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in the career, and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their scientific merits and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on scientific ability within the subject area.

In the employment of a postdoctoral researcher, the following will form the basis for assessment:

• Good ability to develop and conduct high-quality research.
• Pedagogical ability

Other Merits:

• Extensive experience in paleomagnetic analyses of sediments.
• Experience in sedimentological analyses using CT scans.
• Experience in depth-age modeling (C-14, stratigraphic correlation).
• Experience in Python or similar programming languages.
• Documented very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, and independence, as well as how the applicant's experiences and competencies complement and strengthen ongoing research at the department and how they can contribute to its future development.

Conditions

The position is fixed-term for a maximum of 2 years and is full-time. The employment is limited according to the agreement, “Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher,” between the labor market parties dated 2022-02-01 (The Swedish Agency for Government Employers, OFR:s, and Saco-S).

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Dr. Andreas Nilsson ([email protected] (mailto:[email protected])).

Application Instructions

The application should include:

• a cover letter stating the reasons for applying for this position, describing why you are suitable for the position and providing a general description of previous research and future research interests (maximum 2 pages).
• Curriculum Vitae, including degrees and other completed courses, skills and work experience in laboratory and data analyses, and a list of publications.
• Contact information for 2-3 references.
• A copy of the PhD degree.

Welcome to apply!

At the Faculty of Science, research and education are conducted in biology, astronomy, physics, geosciences, chemistry, mathematics, and environmental science. The activities are conducted within the northern university area. The faculty has about 1,900 students, 330 doctoral students, and 730 employees.

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