PhD position in Marine Geology
PhD position in Marine Geology at the Department of Geological Sciences. Reference number SU FV-1248-13. Deadline for applications: May 2, 2013.
The Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, Sweden, invites applications for a four-year doctoral PhD position in: Reconstructions of past Arctic Ocean bottom temperatures for Earth system feedback studies
Project description
Paleoclimate research has over the last decade gained recognition for its role in improving projections of future climate change. This concerns in particular investigations of Earth system feedbacks, which remain the largest uncertainties in projections of the evolving climate. Feedbacks are considered the main causes of the Polar amplification; here referring to the relatively higher temperature increase measured in the Arctic region compared to the rest of the World. Processes influenced by a changing climate in the Arctic Ocean include shrinking sea ice cover and carbon-greenhouse gas release from thawing permafrost and destabilized methane hydrates. The ocean temperatures along the Arctic continental margins and over the huge shallow Arctic continental shelves, where permafrost exists today, is thus of critical importance. Our current understanding of how Arctic Ocean bottom temperatures have changed over a longer time period is poor and dependant on studies using temperature proxies.
Project description
Paleoclimate research has over the last decade gained recognition for its role in improving projections of future climate change. This concerns in particular investigations of Earth system feedbacks, which remain the largest uncertainties in projections of the evolving climate. Feedbacks are considered the main causes of the Polar amplification; here referring to the relatively higher temperature increase measured in the Arctic region compared to the rest of the World. Processes influenced by a changing climate in the Arctic Ocean include shrinking sea ice cover and carbon-greenhouse gas release from thawing permafrost and destabilized methane hydrates. The ocean temperatures along the Arctic continental margins and over the huge shallow Arctic continental shelves, where permafrost exists today, is thus of critical importance. Our current understanding of how Arctic Ocean bottom temperatures have changed over a longer time period is poor and dependant on studies using temperature proxies.
This PhD project is focused on applying foraminifera trace metal analysis, and benthic foraminifera clumped isotope thermometry to reconstruct bottom temperatures in the Arctic Ocean over the last 1 million years. The project will benefit from the newly upgraded mass spectrometry facility at the Department of Geological Sciences.
The PhD student will be trained in a wide range of marine geological methods as well as in more specific Arctic benthic foraminifera taxonomy and microfossil-based geochemical paleotemperature proxy methods. The complexities of Arctic Ocean chemistry and hydrology require a multiproxy approach. Benthic foraminifera trace metal constraints will be obtained through an international collaboration with Dr. Carrie Lear at Cardiff University, UK. Benthic foraminifera clumped isotopes, a new and promising bottom water paleothermometer, will be applied in-house at Stockholm’s department of Geological Sciences. This PhD project forms a component of the interdisciplinary SWERUS-C3 Program (Swedish-Russian-US Arctic Ocean Investigation of Climate Cryosphere-Carbon Interactions). The student will also have the opportunity to participate as a shipboard scientist during SWERUS cruise to the Arctic Ocean 2014.
The working language will be English.
More information
For more information, please contact Dr. Helen Coxall, helen.coxall@geo.su.se.
Qualifications
Stockholm University Requirements:
Applicants must have completed a research degree (e.g. Masters) or university study of 240 ECTS (4 years), with at least 60 ECTS (1 year) at the advanced (research) level.
More information
For more information, please contact Dr. Helen Coxall, helen.coxall@geo.su.se.
Qualifications
Stockholm University Requirements:
Applicants must have completed a research degree (e.g. Masters) or university study of 240 ECTS (4 years), with at least 60 ECTS (1 year) at the advanced (research) level.
Department Requirements, Marine Geology:
At least 90 ECTS points in Geology or Earth Science and at least 30 ECTS points in Math/Physics/Chemistry and/or Biology, depending on the research topic in Marine Geology. At least 60 ETCS points are required at the advanced level, including an independent project (30 ECTS) in Geology or Earth Sciences. For some PhD topics in Marine Geology, students with degrees in appropriate Natural Science topics such as Physics, Chemistry, Math or Biology may be admitted.
Selection criteria
The selection is based on the perceived ability of the applicant to successfully pursue the research. Special emphasis is put on the applicant’s knowledge and skills within the subject area, ability to express her/himself verbally and in writing, creativity, initiative and independence, and a capacity for working together with other researchers. The evaluation will be made based on the relevance of publications, past education and experience, the quality and ambition of the independent project work, references, a cover letter motivating the candidate’s interest, and interviews.
At least 90 ECTS points in Geology or Earth Science and at least 30 ECTS points in Math/Physics/Chemistry and/or Biology, depending on the research topic in Marine Geology. At least 60 ETCS points are required at the advanced level, including an independent project (30 ECTS) in Geology or Earth Sciences. For some PhD topics in Marine Geology, students with degrees in appropriate Natural Science topics such as Physics, Chemistry, Math or Biology may be admitted.
Selection criteria
The selection is based on the perceived ability of the applicant to successfully pursue the research. Special emphasis is put on the applicant’s knowledge and skills within the subject area, ability to express her/himself verbally and in writing, creativity, initiative and independence, and a capacity for working together with other researchers. The evaluation will be made based on the relevance of publications, past education and experience, the quality and ambition of the independent project work, references, a cover letter motivating the candidate’s interest, and interviews.
Appointment regulations for research training at Stockholm University are available in Swedish at: www.regelboken.su.se/pub/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1031&a=16354.
Conditions
Research financing and salary is provided for 48 months (full-time employment). Start date can be negotiated.
Conditions
Research financing and salary is provided for 48 months (full-time employment). Start date can be negotiated.
Stockholm University strives to be a work place that is free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.
Union representatives
Anqi Lindblom-Ahlm (Saco-S) and Lisbeth Häggberg (Fackförbundet ST), telephone +46-(0)8-16 2000 (switch board), and Gunnar Stenberg (SEKO), telephone +46-(0)70-316 43 41.
Application
Your application, including CV, transcripts of all university courses with grades, a copy of your university degree, a cover letter motivating your interest for this position, name and contact information of two references, and any other documents (e.g., diploma thesis/“examensarbete”) you would like to include.
Union representatives
Anqi Lindblom-Ahlm (Saco-S) and Lisbeth Häggberg (Fackförbundet ST), telephone +46-(0)8-16 2000 (switch board), and Gunnar Stenberg (SEKO), telephone +46-(0)70-316 43 41.
Application
Your application, including CV, transcripts of all university courses with grades, a copy of your university degree, a cover letter motivating your interest for this position, name and contact information of two references, and any other documents (e.g., diploma thesis/“examensarbete”) you would like to include.
Welcome with your application (as a PDF), marked with the reference number SU FV-1248-13, no later than May 2, 2013, by e-mail to:registrator@su.se.
Please include the reference number SU FV-1248-13 in the subject line of your e-mail.
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