IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON

Department of Earth Science and Engineering

Postdoctoral Position in Paleoclimate Research

Applications are invited for a Research Associate to work on the reconstruction of deglacial Atlantic Ocean ventilation rates, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, under the direction of Dr Tina van de Flierdt (Imperial College London). The position is available to start on or before 1 April 2009.

Deglacial Atlantic Ocean Ventilation Rates

Ocean ventilation rates are closely linked to climate change through the formation and convection of deep waters. Since the deep ocean contains most of the carbon in the ocean-atmosphere system, ventilation rates exert an important influence on climate via the greenhouse connection. Knowledge of the ventilation rate in the modern and the past ocean is therefore a key parameter in understanding the carbon cycle and climate change. Within the proposed project, ocean ventilation rates for the deglacial Atlantic Ocean will be reconstructed using paired radiocarbon and Nd isotope measurements on U-Th dated deep-sea corals.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in paleoclimate, paleoceanography, isotope geochemistry, or closely related subject areas. Good laboratory skills are highly desirable and candidates with experience in clean room chemistry and mass spectrometry are particularly encouraged to apply. You will join an international collaborative project with Dr Laura F Robinson (WHOI) and Professor Jess F Adkins (Caltech). Your work will focus on the radiogenic isotope geochemistry of deep-sea corals and will be carried out in the new isotope geochemistry facility of the Earth & Planets Section of the Department of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London. The department has close ties to the newly opened Grantham Institute for Climate Change offering a multidisciplinary and stimulating environment for paleoclimate research.

Further information can be obtained from Tina van de Flierdt, tina.vandeflierdt@imperial.ac.uk.

Application forms and further details of the post can be downloaded from http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment/research.

A completed application form, a curriculum vitae, brief statements of research with the names and contact details of at least two referees, should be sent to Darakshan Khan, email: d.khan@imperial.ac.uk,. Please quote PDRA/TvdF/corals in all correspondence. 

Closing date: 30 October 2008

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