Postdoctoral Researcher in Geochemistry – Early Earth Evolution

The Swedish Museum of Natural History is a government agency with a mandate to promote knowledge, research, and interest in our world. It is a prominent research institution and Sweden's largest museum. For more than 200 years, the museum has been collecting specimens and data and conducting research on life on earth. The collections contain more than 11 million plants, animals, fungi, environmental samples, minerals, and fossils. All research and knowledge are shared in the exhibitions, Cosmonova, and in activities at the museum and digitally.

Applications are invited for a 2-year postdoctoral research position related to a Swedish Research Council funded project: "Early Earth Evolution from the First Continents to the First Life – a Microanalytical Perspective". The purpose of this field- and laboratory-based project is to investigate the Eoarchean gneiss complexes of northern Labrador, Canada, and southern west Greenland, some of the most extensive >3.6 Ga regions on the planet. The goals are to (1) better constrain the timing of formation and subsequent evolution of the earliest crust preserved on Earth, (2) document the earliest stages of the irreversible differentiation of crustal and mantle geochemical and isotopic domains, and (3) test whether any early supracrustal assemblages within these gneiss complexes are truly ancient.

The project will utilise novel and innovative high-spatial resolution ion microprobe-based methods, using the CAMECA ims1280 instrument in the NordSIMS facility at the Swedish Museum of Natural History, as well as complementary microanalytical facilities at collaborating institutions (University of Western Australia, Polish Academy of Sciences).

Work Tasks

Research in isotope geochemistry and geochronology.
Synthesis of existing studies in the region with gap analysis to determine priority areas for new research.
Field sampling in remote sub-Arctic regions.
Scientific publication and oral communication of results.

Qualifications

Requirements:

A PhD degree in geochemistry, geology, or a related field, or anticipate award of the PhD prior to the start date.
A background in both geology and geochemistry with particular emphasis on isotope geochemistry.
Previous publication experience in English.
Excellent command of written and spoken English.

Meritorious qualifications:

An ability to integrate and interpret diverse geochemical and geological datasets.
An ability to coordinate and execute field sampling campaigns.
An ability to accurately perform risk analysis appropriate to the working area.
Experience with acquisition and interpretation of geochronological and isotope geochemical data.
Experience with isotope analytical methods and characterisation by e.g., optical and scanning electron microscopy.
Experience of remote area fieldwork.
Experience attracting research funding corresponding to career stage.

We are looking for a candidate with excellent collaboration and communication skills who is meticulous and analytical.

Form of employment: Temporary employment.

Duration: 6 months or longer.

Start date: As per agreement. The position is a fixed-term employment for two years.

We advance our knowledge of the natural world, inspiring us to better care for our planet. Our ambition is that the employees of The Swedish Museum of Natural History shall represent the diversity in Sweden, and we welcome every applicant.

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