Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) for 26 months

Stellenbeschreibung

Background:

This project will build on the R/V SONNE expedition SO-309 to the SW Pacific around New Zealand in January/February 2025. During this expedition cold-water coral ecosystems on volcanic structures and along the New Zealand continental margin will be investigated. The main objectives are (a) a systematic inventory of the recent distribution and biodiversity of cold-water coral ecosystems under the influence of the prevailing environmental conditions, and (b) a reconstruction of their development under the influence of climate change in the geological past.

Tasks:

The successful candidate will (1) participate in the SO-309 expedition, (2) analyse coral-bearing sediment cores by computer-tomography scanning and Th/U-dating of corals to reconstruct cold-water coral mound development, and (3) analyse coral-barren sedimentary records with paleoceanographic methods (stable isotopes and Mg/Ca analyses on benthic foraminifera, grain size analyses, etc.) to define the response of cold-water corals to environmental changes in the West Indian Ocean.

Voraussetzungen

• Completed scientific university studies (Master's degree/university diploma) and a PhD in marine geosciences, palaeoceanography, cold-water coral research or related fields,
• willingness and ability to participate in sea-going field work,
• strong English language skills (CEF-Level B2)
• experience with geochemical and geophysical laboratory methods, dating and/or CT-data processing would be desirable.