[ES_JOBS_NET] Postdoctoral Fellow: methane in ice cores with COLDEX and Oregon State University

[Kristen Rahilly]

*Post-Doctoral Position in Isotopic Composition of Methane in Ice Core
Records*



*Position*

The College of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences and Center for Oldest
Ice Exploration (COLDEX) are seeking applicants for a 2-year post-doctoral
position investigating the isotopic composition of methane in ice core
records. The OSU ice core laboratory (https://icecore.ceoas.oregonstate.edu)
has successfully implemented and applied a sample preparation system linked
to a continuous flow GC-IRMS instrument and we are currently capable of
routine measurements of carbon isotope ratios in CH4 in ice core samples.
The post doc will take on the expansion of our capabilities to measurement
of D/H of CH4 and apply both isotopic systems to several outstanding
problems in past CH4 biogeochemistry, including the mechanisms controlling
abrupt increases in CH4 during interglacial periods, the controls on CH4
during and before the mid-Pleistocene, and sources of enrichments in CH4 in
the basal layers of Antarctic ice cores at Allan Hills. The latter two
projects will use ice samples collected as part of the COLDEX NSF Science
and Technology Center (www.coldex.org).



This is a full-time position within the College of Earth, Ocean and
Atmospheric Sciences (CEOAS) at Oregon State University, funded by the US
National Science Foundation. The initial appointment will be for one year
with the intention of renewal for a second year assuming satisfactory
progress. The start date has some flexibility but ideally would be in
winter or spring of 2024. The postdoc will work under the mentorship of
Professor Ed Brook, and work closely with other members of the OSU Ice Core
laboratory and the larger group of participants in COLDEX. The successful
applicant will be appointed as a post-doctoral scholar at OSU; information
about minimum salary ranges, benefits and other aspects of post-doctoral
positions can be found at https://gradschool.oregonstate.edu/postdocs.



*Responsibilities*

The successful candidate will adapt our existing extraction
line/preconcentration system and mass spectrometric methods to measure D/H
of CH4 in ice samples. This will include testing and developing sample
handling, purification and pre concentration methods, testing measurement
precision, accuracy  and standardization, and full documentation of methods
and procedures.  The successful candidate will also interpret new ice core
records they develop in terms of past climatic and environmental
conditions, participate in COLDEX-related events, meetings and professional
development opportunities, collaborate with scientists at OSU and other
collaborating institutions, disseminate scientific results in peer-reviewed
publications and presentations at scientific meetings, assist in the
training of undergraduate and graduate students, actively participate in
the operations of the OSU ice core lab and its facilities, and participate
in outreach and professional development activities at OSU and with COLDEX.
Polar fieldwork in Antarctica is a possibility though neither required nor
guaranteed. Travel to other laboratories and the NSF Ice Core Facility in
Denver, CO, may be required as part of the position.



*Qualifications*

Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant area, such as paleoclimate,
glaciology, biogeochemistry or Earth sciences at the start of the position,
excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, some
experience in numerical data analysis (for example in Matlab or Python),
hands-on experience with laboratory geochemistry or related measurement
methods, effective problem-solving skills, the ability to formulate and
design research independently, and motivation to solve scientific research
problems and work well within a team of researchers. Ability to work in
laboratory walk-in freezers is required.



Preferred qualifications include demonstrated strong laboratory,
quantitative and other technical skills, experience with relevant
analytical techniques and instrumentation including stable isotope mass
spectrometry, continuous flow isotope ratio mass spectrometry, analysis of
trace gases in air, and/or related techniques.



*Application*

Applications received by January 1, 2024, will be given full consideration.
To apply please send: (1) a cover letter describing academic experience,
qualifications, motivation and interest in the position; (2) a curriculum
vitae, including current employment and contact information and (3) names,
addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three professional
references. Depending on the number of applicants, referees may be
contacted only for a short list of top candidates. Please send these
documents as one pdf file. We strongly encourage applicants from
under-represented groups (including people of color, women, people with
disabilities, and LGBTQ+ candidates) to apply.



Application materials should be sent to Dr. Ed Brook at
edward.brook at oregonstate.edu.

For questions regarding this position please also contact Dr. Brook. Learn
more about COLDEX at https://coldex.org. Learn more about the OSU Ice Core
and Quaternary geochemistry lab at https://icecore.ceoas.oregonstate.edu/.
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