« Holocene terrestrial hydrological and vegetation dynamics in SW Africa reconstructed from marine archives »
The Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Germany (http://www.marum.de/en/) has openings for two three-year PhD positions, which form a subproject of a large cooperative project within the SPACES program (Science Partnerships for the Assessment of Complex Earth System Processes) funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The project strives for an improved understanding of the inter-connected variability of continental hydro-climatic changes, vegetation dynamics and their effects on soil erosion in coastal western South Africa over the Holocene. Investigations follow two complimentary approaches and will be conducted in close cooperation with German partners investigating sedimentology, inorganic geochemistry and lake archives as well as partners in South Africa including exchange visits. Fieldwork might include sampling trips to southern Africa and participation in ship expeditions.
First PhD studentship:
Organic Geochemistry, involving extraction, fractionation and liquid-/gaschromatographic as well as compound-specific isotope analyses of marine and terrestrial lipids from coastal marine and lake sedimentary archives. Climatic land-ocean linkages should be identified by analyses of land and ocean temperatures, detection of continental hydrologic and vegetation type changes, and estimates of soil erosion. Prior experiences in organic geochemistry and/or isotope analyses are
advantageous.
Second PhD studentship: Palynology, involving analysis of pollen and spores, for the reconstruction of biomes and vegetation dynamics in South-West Africa using marine sedimentary archives. In parallel, analyses of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages should be conducted to add information about marine surface water conditions and productivity changes. The work includes sample preparation, microscopy, and interpretation in terms of particle transport and biomes. Experience in palynology is required.
We seek enthusiastic individuals holding a Masters (MSc) or ‘Diplom’ degree in geosciences, biology or related disciplines with a strong interest in paleo-climate dynamics. Successful candidates should have the ability for interdisciplinary work, presentation of results at (inter)-national meetings, and writing of manuscripts.
Applicants should submit before June 7, 2013 preferably as a single pdf file:
● CV
● Documents (copies only)
● Statement describing specific interest in the project and relevant experience
● Names and addresses of two references.
Materials concerning the first studentship should be send to Dr. Enno Schefuß and those concerning the second studentship to Dr. Lydie Dupont or, alternatively, to Dr. Enno Schefuß or Dr. Lydie Dupont, c/o MARUM – University of Bremen, Leobener Straße, D-28359 Bremen, Germany.
Salary will be according to the German civil service remuneration system TV-L E13 (66%).
As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply.
In case of equal personal aptitudes and qualification, disabled persons will be given priority.