Postdoc in Biomarker Isotope Geochemistry

The Department of Geoscience in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Aarhus University invites applications for postdoctoral position in isotope geochemistry of biomarkers starting 1 May 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

This position is part of a DFF-funded Sapere Aude project called BRAINSTORM: Biomarker Records of Africa Improved by Neural networks, Studies of Terrestrial Oscillations, and Revamped Methods. The aim of BRAINSTORM is to bridge the gap between orbital climate cycles and hominin evolutionary responses using novel leaf wax biomarker methods, machine learning, and evolutionary modeling. This postdoctoral position involves initial method development of low-concentration isotope analyses as well as the generation of high-resolution paleoclimate records. These new reconstructions will contribute to a context of hominin response to abrupt climate transitions in eastern Africa, and a new isotope method will have broader impact on the paleoclimate field.

Job responsibilities

In addition to contributing intellectually and supportively to an inclusive research group, the applicant’s main tasks would consist of:

• Independent research of high international quality
• Sediment extraction, column chromatography, and analysis of leaf wax compounds on GC-FID
• Development of low-concentration analysis of leaf wax isotopes on GC-IRMS
• Generation and analysis of high-resolution leaf wax isotope paleoclimate reconstructions
• Publication and communication of findings

There will be opportunities for mentoring of bachelors, masters, and PhD students as part of BRAINSTORM.

Qualifications

The applicant is expected to have experience with organic geochemistry and biomarkers as proxies for past climate and environment. Experience with organic isotope analyses, including leaf wax isotopes, is a requirement, and interest in method development and paleoclimate is advantageous. Candidates should hold a PhD degree (or complete one before Spring 2025) in Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Paleoclimate, Chemistry or similar. The applicant should have good proficiency in English and should be able to work positively and communicatively in a team.

Deadline

The deadline for the application is January 15th, 2025. We expect to conduct interviews in early February.

Application

The application must include the following:

• Cover Letter, including motivation for applying
• Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications
• One page statement of research goals
• Contact information (name, position, institution, email) for three references

The application does not need to include a separate list of publications, publications, a teaching portfolio, coauthor statements, nor reference letters.
We refer to the faculty’s guidelines for applicants.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Place and conditions of employment

The position is a fixed-term full-time position for 18 months, with possibility of extension due to funding and performance, and will report to Assistant Professor Rachel Lupien.

Your place of work would be the Department of Geoscience, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.

The Department of Geoscience prioritizes diversity and a good work environment, as this is a prerequisite for groundbreaking research. In a diverse and international research environment, dedicated employees have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, including the Biomarker Lab, sediment processing labs, XRF core scanning, and a range of analytical equipment.

International applicant?

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including assistance with relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about the International Staff Office and the range of services here. Aarhus University also has a Junior Researcher Association and offers career development support. You can read more about these resources here.
 

Application procedure

Shortlisting is used. This means that after the deadline for applications – and with the assistance from the assessment committee chairman, and the appointment committee if necessary, – the head of department selects the candidates to be evaluated. All applicants will be notified whether or not their applications have been sent to an expert assessment committee for evaluation. The selected applicants will be informed about the composition of the committee, and each applicant is given the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that concerns him/her self. Once the recruitment process is completed a final letter of rejection is sent to the deselected applicants.

Letter of reference

If you want a referee to upload a letter of reference on your behalf, please state the referee’s contact information when you submit your application. We strongly recommend that you make an agreement with the person in question before you enter the referee’s contact information, and that you ensure that the referee has enough time to write the letter of reference before the application deadline. Unfortunately, it is not possible to ensure that letters of reference received after the application deadline will be taken into consideration.

Formalities and salary range

Natural Sciences refers to the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Danish Universities under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The application must be in English and include a curriculum vitae, degree certificate, a complete list of publications, a statement of future research plans and information about research activities, teaching portfolio and verified information on previous teaching experience (if any). Guidelines for applicants can be found here.

Appointment shall be in accordance with the collective labour agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Further information on qualification requirements and job content may be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities.

Salary depends on seniority as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Associations.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Read more here. Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU. You can read more about it here.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.