At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Göttinger Zentrum für Geowissenschaften - Abt.4 - Geochemie und Isotopengeologie, there is a position as to be filled. Starting date is 2/1/2025. The position is three-year doctoral position.

Ph D position in Isotope Geochemistry of Neoproterozoic Carbonates (f/m/d)

The project aims to reconstruct the formation conditions and diagenetic alteration history of Neoproterozoic carbonates using triple oxygen isotope measurements. The primary focus is on sediments associated with the Shuram Excursion, the most pronounced negative carbonate carbon isotope anomaly observed in the geological record. The origin of the Shuram Excursion, whether a result of a carbon cycle perturbation or a diagenetic artifact, remains a subject of debate. Given its global scale and its temporal proximity to the emergence of the earliest macroscopic animal fossils, understanding the drivers of the Shuram Excursion is essential for comprehending the environmental conditions under which complex life evolved. The project is financed through the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Your tasks:

• Conduct triple oxygen isotope analyses of carbonates using laser spectroscopy and fluorination techniques
• Develop numerical models to assess the impact of diagenesis on the stable isotope composition of carbonates
• Refine the oxygen isotope fractionation factors associated with the acid digestion of different carbonate mineralogies
• Contribute to interlaboratory standardization efforts for carbonate triple oxygen isotope analyses
• Assist in the development of our analytical setup for measuring triple oxygen isotope values in carbonates and CO2 gas
• Publish and present research findings in scientific journals and conferences

Your profile :

• An excellent master’s degree (or equivalent) in Earth Sciences or a related field
• Experience with programming languages
• Experience with working in a stable isotope laboratory
• Demonstrated proficiency in English (oral and written) with a minimum level equivalent to C1
• Keen interest in analytical instrumentation and method development
• Creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work independently
• Having your master’s thesis published or in preparation as a scientific article is considered an advantage

We offer:

• Be part of a dynamic and motivated international research group
• Work in one of the most advanced stable isotope laboratories in Germany . You will also have access to a state-of-the-art electron microscope facility (GOELEM).
• Join the graduate school for mathematics and natural sciences at the University of Göttingen ( Georg-August University School of Science – GAUSS ), which provides a wide range of qualification and training courses to support your career, both within and beyond academia
• Experience life in Göttingen, a charming small town with a vibrant student community, offering a diverse array of cultural and sports activities

Further information
Your application should include a letter of motivation, a summary of your Master’s thesis, your CV, copies of your academic diplomas and relevant qualifications, and contact details of two references

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 10/31/2024 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/74639 . For more information get in touch with David Bajnai directly via E-Mail: david.bajnai@uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +495513923987 .

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)