PostDoc (m/f/d) in Marine Organic and Isotope Geochemistry

The department Geosciences, section Marine Geochemistry, invites application for a Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d) to investigate the composition and age of marine dissolved and particulate organic matter and exchange processes occurring between those two pools of organic matter. The project is carried out in the framework of the Cluster of Excellence “The Ocean Floor – Earth’s uncharted Interface” at University of Bremen.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the ocean is one of the largest carbon pools on Earth cycling within short to intermediate time scales (days to millennia). Its radiocarbon age at depth of up to several thousand years indicates that at least part of DOM is refractory. At the same time, little is known about the molecular composition and reactivity of individual sub-fractions of DOM, its sources and sinks. Particulate organic matter (POM) on the other hand is formed mainly near the surface, and its sinking through the water column results in transfer of carbon fixed from the atmosphere into sedimentary archives (the “biological pump”). The efficiency of the biological pump is to a large extent determined by the rate and degree of degradation of POM during its passage through the water column. The factors determining how effective this degradation is, and the exact processes affecting the composition of POM remain not well understood. Exchange between POM and DOM and interaction between shelf sediments and the pelagic water column are important aspects in this context.

Tasks

Foremost, the task of this postdoctoral project is to develop an independent research program on the marine organic carbon cycle in the water column and its sensitivity to climate change using radiocarbon paired with organic geochemistry as a primary tool.

• Investigation of POM and DOM composition in water column profiles of key study areas of MARUM and AWI, including sites of long-term observatories
• Radiocarbon analyses of marine carbon pools (POM, DOM and DIC)
• Development and optimization of sample preparation techniques for the radiocarbon analysis of POM, DOM and DIC samples collected from sea-water
• Development and application of routine screening protocols to molecularly characterize DOM and POM pools including statistical evaluation of the data

Requirements

• Mandatory requirement for application is an outstanding PhD in organic geochemistry
• Excellent knowledge of isotope geochemistry of organic matter (carbon, sulfur, hydrogen)
• Analytical skills in organic geochemical laboratory methodology
• Proficiency in English
• Readiness to participate in sea-going expeditions
• Open mind for working in a problem-oriented manner with professionals from diverse backgrounds.

Desirable skills and knowledge

Experience in operation and maintenance of advanced analytical instrumentation, including isotope ratio mass spectrometers and, ideally, AMS

• Basic knowledge of MatLab or R

Further Information

For further information please contact
Frau Prof. Dr. Gesine Mollenhaue
r (Gesine.Mollenhauer@awi.de, +49(471)4831-2456)
The full-time position is limited to
June 30
th
, 2024
. The salary will be paid in accordance with the German Tarifvertrag des öffentlichen Dienstes (TVöD Bund), up to salary level
13
. The place of employment will be

Bremerhaven.

This characterizes us

• our scientific success - excellent research.
• collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary.
• opportunities to develop – on the job, aiming at other positions and beyond AWI.
• a culture of reconciling work and family – audited, and even more than that.
• our outstanding research infrastructure – ships, stations, aircraft, laboratories and more.
• an international environment – everyday contacts with people from all over the world.
• having an influence – fundamental research with social and political relevance
• flat hierarchies – freedom and responsibility.
• exciting topics – also in technology, administration and infrastructure.

Equal opportunities for women and men are an integral part of our personnel policy. Therefore, we encourage women to apply.
Disabled applicants will be given preference when equal qualifications are present. The AWI fosters the compatibility of work and family through various means. Because of our engagement in the area of work-life compatibility we have been awarded the certificate “Career and Family”.

We look forward to your application!

Please forward your application with a Letter of motivation, CV and list of publications, and Research plan (5 pages, covering ~5 years) on marine organic carbon cycling in the water column by

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