Applications are welcome for a PhD position at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany.
In a diverse and internationally reknowned research group you will engage within the ERC-funded project “Devendra - Deciphering the Effect of Vegetation and Erosion on basalt and carbonate weathering by Novel Denudation Rate Approaches". Emphasis is on exploring novel isotope methods to quantify the conversion of carbonate rock into soil by weathering along a global climate transect.

Job description:
PhD-Student Position in Earth Surface Isotope Geochemistry: Carbonate Weathering

We are looking forward to receiving your application for a PhD position at the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. In a diverse and one of the worldwide leading research groups in Earth Surface Geochemistry you will be active within the ERC project “Devendra - Deciphering the Effect of Vegetation and Erosion on basalt and carbonate weathering by Novel Denudation Rate Approaches". You will receive training in novel isotope methods and learn to quantify the conversion of rock into soil by weathering along a global climate transect.

The chemical weathering of rocks on the Earth’s surface draws down atmospheric CO2, balancing emissions from volcanoes and maintaining Earth`s climate at habitable temperatures. Basalt and carbonate rocks are particularly crucial in this balance, because they are efficiently weathered. In the project you will apply a novel geochemical tool- the ratio of the cosmogenic isotope beryllium-10 rained out from the atmosphere to stable beryllium-9 released by weathering. In a research team consisting of several young and experienced researchers we will sample soil profiles and rivers from tropical islands over mediterranean landscapes to cold climates. These samples will be processed in modern geochemical laboratories for measurements of the rare cosmogenic isotopes. Emphasis is on the weathering of carbonate rock - a new research field.

The results of DEVENDRA will be used to refine models of Earth’s carbon cycle and the consequences for Earth’s climate, and to estimate the potential for negative CO2 emissions as global method for mitigating global warming by artificially-enhanced weathering.

Within this interdisciplinary project the PhD student will be trained in geomorphic and hydrologic field methods, geochemical methods such as XRD, XRF, BET, Sr stable isotopes and cosmogenic nuclides to quantify weathering and erosion rates of carbonate rock.

The PhD student will benefit from a unique collaboration between a University (FU Berlin) and a Geo-Research Centre (GFZ Potsdam). They will be employed at Freie University Berlin and will be supervised by Prof. Friedhelm von Blanckenburg (https://t1p.de/FvB-FU-Berlin ). They will be co-supervised by Dr. Hella Wittmann-Oelze at GFZ Potsdam. The Freie Universitat Berlin is a partner with the Geo.X consortium (www.geo-x.net ). “Geo-X” forms the largest regional cluster of geoscientific expertise in Europe and offers a vibrant environment for cooperation and development with university departments to research institutions and foundations in the Berlin-Potsdam area.

The student will present the research results at national and international conferences. The PhD thesis will be submitted in English as a collection of peer-reviewed papers. The employed person is expected to contribute a minor share of undergraduate course teaching within the FU Geosciences curriculum. By enhancing the candidate’s teaching- and presentation skills, we expect that this activity will considerably improve perspectives on the job market. The work serves one's own scientific qualification.

Requirements:
Applicants should hold a M.Sc. (or Diploma) in Geosciences, Hydrogeology, or comparable disciplines.

Desirable:

We are looking for motivated candidates seeking to be active in a diverse, international, and highly motivated work group. We invite applications from candidates with a background in Isotope Geochemistry, Soil Sciences, Hydrogeology of karst systems, or reactive transport modeling.

Good oral and written English language skills are required, while German language skills are of advantage. Basic knowledge in a programming language and a driver’s license are also an advantage.

Applications should include a CV, letter of motivation, records of academic degrees including a transcript of records, and the names and addresses of two potential referees. Please contact Prof. Dr. Friedhelm von Blanckenburg (https://t1p.de/FvB-FUBerlin ) for further information. The Freie Universität Berlin strives to increase the proportion of women in research. We strongly encourage qualified women to apply for our position.