Postdoc in Archean Geobiology at GLOBE Institute

We are looking for a highly motivated and dynamic postdoc for a 3 year position, who will be working on the characterization of meta-sedimentary units from the Isua Supracrustal Belt. Focus will be on rare clastic carbon rich sediments, their depositional environment, their diagenesis, their tectonic accretion and potential tracers of early life. The position will commence on the 1 July, 2022.

Information on the department can be found at: https://globe.ku.dk/research/geobiology/hassenkam-group/ .

Our research
To understand how life evolved and the environments that it evolved in, we need to study the geological record for clues. Remains of life from deep time are often preserved only in trace amounts. Applying standard geological methods combined with new Nano Science tools can give us clues to the nature and history of these remains, and the rocks in which they are stored.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Geobiology section at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences all at the University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating interdisciplinary working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.

Your job
Your task will consist of analysing the mineral, elemental and isotopic composition of clastic meta-sedimentary rocks from the Isua Supracrustal Belt. Mineral composition and petrography will be investigated in a rock core by eye and X-ray computed tomography (CT) and in thin sections via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. You will analyse elemental compositions through x-ray fluorescence (XRF) in combination with ICP-MS analysis of digested powder samples. Isotopic composition measurements will require setting up collaborations with external labs and will include sample preparation for secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and isotope clean lab work. Further, you will be responsible for interpreting and publishing the data.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Earth and Planetary Science
• You are highly experienced in metamorphic petrography, trace elemental and isotopic geochemistry
• You have an active interest in Early life and Environment
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams
• Excellent English skills written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• Experience with optical microscopy in the context of metamorphic petrography
• Experience with SEM and EPMA
• Knowledge and experience with the geology of the Isua Supracrustal Belt
• Field experience in Archean gneiss and supracrustal terranes
• Experience with isotopic dating techniques such as the Lu-Hf, Sm-Nd, Pb-Pb and U-Pb (in zircon) systems.
• Experience with the sulphur isotopic system, particularly in Archean rocks
• Experience with working in an isotope clean lab.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Geobiology section at the Globe Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences all at the University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating interdisciplinary working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. For more information, please visit www.globe.ku.dk .

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.
The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 3 years. The starting date is the 1 July, 2022.
Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Finance and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 35,600 DKK/approx. 4,780 EUR (April 2022 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Assoc. Professor Tue Hassenkam; [email protected] .  

Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

Deadline for applications: 13 April 2022, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.