PhD position in paleoceanography / biogeochemical modeling

The Department of Earth Sciences currently seeks a highly-motivated, high-potential applicant for a position as a PhD researcher in modeling of bioturbation.

The project title is ‘Consequences of animal mixing and grazing on paleorecords’. Animal induced transport is the major transport term in sediments and causes displacement of particles including remains from organisms. Significant progress has been made in the study of bioturbation of modern sediments. Here we explore the implications of grazing on benthic organism and biological particle transport for the study of paleorecords.
Up to ten percent of your time will be dedicated to assisting in the BSc and MSc teaching programmes of the department. You and your supervisors will together set up a Training & Supervision plan for the additional education and supervision that you yourself specifically need.
The position is financed through the Netherlands Earth Systems Science Center (NESSC). NESSC unites leading climate and paleoclimate scientists from the Netherlands.

Qualifications
We seek a highly motivated candidate with:
a MSc degree in Earth Sciences, Ecology, Civil Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Oceanography or a closely related discipline;
strong motivation for PhD research;
keen interest in translating scientific findings to practical applications;
profound knowledge of biogeochemical processes;
experience in numerical modelling.
You should be proficient in English, have excellent scientific writing and planning skills and be an enthusiastic team player.

Offer
The successful candidate will be offered a full-time position at first for one year. Depending on a good performance this may be extended to a total period of four years, with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period.
Employment conditions are based on the Collective Labour Agreement of the Dutch Universities. The gross monthly salary starts with € 2,174 in the first year and increases to € 2,779 in the fourth year of employment with a full-time appointment. The salary is supplemented by a holiday allowance of 8% per year and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. In addition, we offer a pension scheme, collective insurance schemes and flexible employment conditions. For more information visit Working at Utrecht University.

About the organization
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.

The city of Utrecht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, with a charming old center and an internationally oriented culture that is strongly influenced by its century-old university. Utrecht city has been consistently ranked as one of the most livable cities in the Netherlands.

The faculty of Geosciences conducts education and research concerning the geosphere,biosphere, atmosphere and anthroposphere. With a complement of 2,600 students (BSc and MSc) and 600 staff, the Faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty is organised in four Departments: Innovation, Environmental & Energy Sciences, Earth Sciences, Physical Geography, and Human Geography & Urban/Regional Planning.

The department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. The department hosts a highly international group of more than 100 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers and houses a wide variety of world-class laboratories.

Additional information
Informal enquiries may be sent to Prof Dr Jack Middelburg: j.b.m.middelburg@uu.nl.

Apply
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but we prefer to receive your application before August 1, 2016. Evaluations and interviews are planned soon thereafter. We seek to initiate the position as soon as possible and not later than January 1, 2017.

Apply here.

The application deadline is
01/08/2016