Postdoc position – peat inorganic geochemistry

We are offering a post-doctoral position at EcoLab, Toulouse (France) within the framework of the PARAD project (PeAt bog Records of Atmospheric Dust fluxes in Southern South America). The main objectives of PARAD are:

  1. to provide high resolution continuous records of natural atmospheric dust using the elemental and isotopic signature of peat cores in Tierra del Fuego, and
  2. to assess the linkage between dust fluxes and climate.

The first task of the post-doctoral fellow will consist in a multi-elemental geochemical characterization of inorganic particles in peat. The second task will be to fingerprint dust sources using radiogenic isotopes. Additionally, the post-doctoral fellow will interact with an international team of scientists completing our multiproxy approach. EcoLab is an environment and functional ecology laboratory. It is a mixed research unit between CNRS and the University of Toulouse. It houses clean lab facilities as well as an ICP-OES. State of the art geochemical equipment (ICP-MS, HR-ICP-MS, TIMS, MC-ICP-MS) is available through the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, a federative research unit including EcoLab.

The post-doctoral fellow should have completed his/her PhD in geochemistry, environmental sciences or related fields less than 2 years before the beginning of the employment. Experience in elemental and isotopic geochemistry is essential as well as expertise in clean lab and mass spectrometry techniques and fluency in spoken and written English. Additional abilities in team working, fieldwork, as well as proficiency in French and Spanish would be appreciated.

Applications as well as further inquiries should be addressed to François De Vleeschouwer (francois.devleeshouwer@ensat.fr). An application will consist in a motivation letter, a full CV, two significant publications, as well as the name and contact details of three referees.

  • Deadline for applications: October 15th, 2011.
  • Beginning of the contract: January 2012 or soon after
  • Duration of the contract: Max 2 years
  • The salary will be determined based on the CNRS recruitment grid.