2 PhD Positions – 3 years

Applications are invited for an EU funded PhD programme at the Geological
Survey of Norway (NGU), including secondments to industrial and university
partners. Two positions are available starting from October 2010. This
project forms part of the EU funded Marie Curie Initial Training Network
“CASE – The changing Arctic and Sub-Arctic environment: A research and
training programme on marine biotic indicators of recent climate changes in
the high latitudes of the North Atlantic”
(http://caseitn.epoc.u-bordeaux1.fr). The two PhD positions are for 36
months duration each.

Research Project
This project is part of the European Marie Curie Network for Initial
Training program CASE. The research focuses on marine biotic proxies and
modeling of past climate changes in high northern latitudes. It will be
implemented through a joint research project aiming to describe and identify
the mechanisms and impacts of recent environmental changes in the Nordic
Seas. PhD project 1 focuses on bulk organic matter proxies to reconstruct
surface water productivity changes during Holocene climate variability. The
candidate will investigate the geochemical and sedimentological signatures
of the sediments in the Trondheimfjorden area. Analyses of bulk organic
properties, stable isotope geochemistry (13C, 15N), mineralogical properties
(XRD), and inorganic geochemistry (ICP-AES, XRF) will be the main techniques
to be applied during the project. Additional experience in basic marine
geological techniques (shallow seismics, multibeam bathymetry, physical
properties, sedimentology) are desirable. Experience in the use of
Geographical Information System (GIS) will be an advantage. PhD project 2
focuses on the controlling mechanisms for organic matter sedimentation and
preservation in the Barents Sea. The candidate will investigate the
geochemical and sedimentological properties of recent and Holocene
sediments, reconstruct surface water paleoproductivity changes, and study
the organic carbon storage capacity of the Barents Sea shelf. The empirical
approach is based on 210Pb geochronology, bulk organic and mineralogical
properties, stables isotopes (13C, 15N), inorganic geochemistry (ICP-AES,
XRF), and grain sizes. A modeling component will be included to see the
effects of recent climate changes on the organic carbon storage potential in
the Barents Sea. Knowledge of statistics and the use of GIS (ArcGIS) will be
an advantage. Experience in visualization tools and interpretation of
multibeam bathymetric and shallow seismic data is desirable.

The projects will be carried out in close collaboration with industrial
partners (Iso Analytical Ltd., AvaaTech X-ray Technology BV) and the
Universities of Bordeaux, Plymouth, Amsterdam, Kiel, and Tromsø. The
analytical part of the work will take place in co-operation with the
University of Bordeaux and Iso Analytical Ltd. and will include the
opportunity to work with the local team. The modeling part in PhD project 2
will take place in co-operation with SINTEF Petroleum Research in Trondheim.

Requirements and Training
To be eligible for these positions you must hold a Master of Science/Diploma
or equivalent in marine geology and/or marine geochemistry and an
appropriate education in physical sciences and an appropriate qualification
in the English language. Experiences in the use of Geographical Information
Systems (GIS), of visualization tools, and in seismic interpretation is
desirable. Full training in the scientific background to the project will be
given, and there will also be the opportunity to participate in a variety of
complementary skills training programmes offered as part of the CASE
network. There will also be the opportunity to travel to and take part in
events at other sites within the network.

Since the contractor is a Norwegian Research Institute, candidates from EU
member states, Associated Countries (except Norway) and eligible
International Cooperation Partner Countries are invited to apply for these
two positions. Please note that candidates must not have been resident in
Norway for more than 12 months in the past 3 years. We prefer candidates
with team spirit, who would like to work in an internationally oriented
environment.

Location
The Geological Survey of Norway (NGU), based in Trondheim, is the central
national institution for knowledge of the bedrock, mineral resources,
surface deposits and groundwater of mainland Norway and of the near-surface
geology of the Norwegian continental shelf. The Survey's tasks include
geological, geophysical and geochemical mapping, development and maintenance
of databases, research, information activities and advice to governmental
bodies and industry. The NGU staff of 225 includes representatives of 24
nationalities and 65% of the staff are scientists.

For general information about NGU's organisation and mandate, please see
www.ngu.no. We can offer a favourable working environment, unique scientific
challenges and good possibilities for participation in international forums
and in further education programmes. The CASE network is committed to equal
opportunities and diversity in employment. NGU encourages applications from
female scientists. The candidates are expected to finish the project with a
PhD thesis and disseminate the results through publications in peer-reviewed
journals and presentations at international conferences.

Salary 
The gross salary will be €4,012.00 per man/month for candidates only.
Candidates will also be entitled to a gross monthly mobility allowance of €
656.00, a travel allowance based on the direct distance (in a straight line)
between the place of origin and Trondheim in Norway payable each 12 months,
as well as a career exploratory allowance of € 2,000.00 payable once
according to the Marie Curie Actions Programme conditions.  Gross salary
means net salary plus all compulsory deductions under the Norwegian legislation.

Further information
More information about the planned work of the ITN “CASE” and the Quaternary
Geology and Climate team can be found on http://caseitn.epoc.u-bordeaux1.fr
and http://www.ngu.no/landscape/. For further information, please contact
project and team leader Jochen Knies ([log in to unmask]) or the Director
of the Geoscience Division Øystein Nordgulen ([log in to unmask]),
tel. + 47 73 90 40 00.

Letters of application with CV including a letter of your professional
experience, a statement of motivation (one A4 page), and name, telephone,
email address and mailing address of at least three professionals who can be
contacted for references, should be sent to Jochen Knies, leader of the
Quaternary Geology and Climate team at [log in to unmask] Applications
should not be sent later than 15th of August 2010.