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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Dear all,</font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">I would like to advertise a fully funded 4-years PhD position at the University of Bern.</font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Find the full job opening here: </font></span></p>
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<a href="https://www.jobs.apps.be.ch/offene-stellen/forward/cb8a3b0e-0703-4511-b431-688a2959c8b4?utm_source=jobabo&utm_medium=email">https://www.jobs.apps.be.ch/offene-stellen/forward/cb8a3b0e-0703-4511-b431-688a2959c8b4?utm_source=jobabo&utm_medium=email</a></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><b>PhD Position with a focus on Paleoclimatology and/or Data Science</b></font></span></p>
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<font face="DejaVuSans" style="font-size:12px">Duration: 4 years</font></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Starting date: April 2026</font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><b>Closing date: December 15, 2025</b></font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"> </font></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Description:</font></span></b></p>
<p class="x_MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm; font-size:12pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; color:rgb(0,0,0)">
<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Lake sediments are natural archives of Earth’s history, but traditional analysis methods often fall short of capturing their full story. This project, titled Pixel2Paleo, represents a pioneering effort to
use a "deductive approach" to reveal the complex interplay of environmental variables. We will use a powerful combination of high-resolution imaging techniques—µXRF elemental mapping, Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI), and Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI)—to explore
the biogeochemical fingerprints of past environments. This includes elemental composition, mineralogy, as well as organic compounds such as alkenones, and bacterial and algal pigments.<br>
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A key part of the project involves connecting these sedimentary signals to real-world, modern data. We will analyze the most recent sediment layers (from the last ~200 years) from a network of Swiss lakes that are actively monitored. By correlating the high-resolution
data from the selection of Swiss lake sediments with existing observational and monitoring data on factors like water temperature, nutrient levels, and lake productivity, we will build a foundation for our fingerprint database. This will allow us to evaluate
the reliability of our proxies and apply this knowledge to reconstruct older, pre-anthropogenic climate conditions. <br>
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The ultimate goal of the project is to build a publicly accessible database that correlates biogeochemical sediment composition with specific climate and environmental conditions, setting a new standard for paleoclimate research. This is part of a larger effort
to establish a PaleoIMAGING community and ensure all data and code are open and adhere to FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable).</font></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Tasks: </font></span></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">As a key member of a team of researchers, your primary role will be to conduct fundamental research, data acquisition, and data analysis. using these advanced imaging techniques. We offer flexibility in how
you achieve the project's goals, allowing you to tailor your focus based on your skills and interests. You will have the opportunity to be responsible for obtaining high-resolution data from sediment cores, running laboratory incubation experiments to understand
the stability of sedimentary signals, and participating in fieldwork. You can also focus on the application of advanced data science approaches, including supervised and unsupervised pixel clustering and neural networks, to discover unique "fingerprints" of
past cold and warm climates. The project is structured into three main work packages that will guide you from initial data acquisition to final fingerprinting. A research assistant will support you with the imaging methods and/or data science.</font></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Requirements:</font></span></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">We are seeking a highly motivated and curious candidate with a Master's degree in Earth Sciences or a related field. We strongly encourage applications from a diverse range of academic backgrounds, including
those with experience in biogeochemistry, limnology, sedimentology, environmental research, ecology, hydrology, data science, and image processing. While data science experience is a plus, a passion for hands-on analytical work, fieldwork, and a willingness
to learn advanced data science techniques is most important. We value strong analytical skills and a collaborative spirit. The project is designed to provide comprehensive training in advanced analytical methods and data science, ensuring you have all the
tools you need to succeed. <b></b></font></span></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"> </font></span></b></p>
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<b><span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Candidate's profile:</font></span></b></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">You are an independent, curious, creative, and ambitious team player who enjoys interdisciplinary science, learning, and mastering new things/skills. <br>
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<p class="x_MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0cm 54pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; text-indent:-36pt">
<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><span style="color:black">•<span style="line-height:normal; font-size-adjust:none; font-kerning:auto; font-variant-alternates:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-numeric:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-feature-settings:normal"> </span></span><span style="color:black">Interest
or experience in advanced imaging techniques</span></font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><span style="color:black">•<span style="line-height:normal; font-size-adjust:none; font-kerning:auto; font-variant-alternates:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-numeric:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-feature-settings:normal"> </span></span><span style="color:black">Interest
or experience in data science</span></font></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0cm 54pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; text-indent:-36pt">
<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><span style="color:black">•<span style="line-height:normal; font-size-adjust:none; font-kerning:auto; font-variant-alternates:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-numeric:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-feature-settings:normal"> </span></span><span style="color:black">Good
ability to work independently, to formulate and tackle research problems and work in a team</span></font></span></p>
<p class="x_MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0cm 54pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif; text-indent:-36pt">
<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><span style="color:black">•<span style="line-height:normal; font-size-adjust:none; font-kerning:auto; font-variant-alternates:normal; font-variant-ligatures:normal; font-variant-numeric:normal; font-variant-east-asian:normal; font-feature-settings:normal"> </span></span><span style="color:black">Good
written and oral communication skills in English</span></font></span></p>
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<span style="color:black; font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><br>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">We are committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusiveness in geology and especially encourage applications from underrepresented groups.</font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><b>How to apply?</b></font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Applications must be submitted to <a href="mailto:hyperspeclab.giub@unibe.ch">hyperspeclab.giub@unibe.ch</a> and should include:</font></span></p>
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<ul class="x_MailOutline">
<li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">motivation letter describing your interests, experience, and relevance for this position (max 2 pages), </span></li><li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">a CV which includes the following sections: </span></li><ul class="x_MailOutline">
<li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">Education and training, </span></li><li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">Previous and current employment, </span></li><li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">Major achievements/scientific activities,</span></li><li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">ORCID iD number (if available). </span></li></ul>
<li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">Further, attach the MSc certificate or transcriptions when available at the time of application, </span></li><li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">a summary of the MSc thesis, and </span></li><li><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans">the names and contact details for two referees (name, surname, institutional addresses, email, and phone number).</span><span style="font-family:DejaVuSans"> </span></li></ul>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><br>
Please send your application via email with all sections combined in a single PDF named «surname.firstname», indicating «Pixel2Paleo PhD» in the email subject. </font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Contact Petra Zahajská (<a href="mailto:petra.zahajska@unibe.ch">petra.zahajska@unibe.ch</a>) with any scientific questions.</font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans"><br>
The application<b> deadline is December 15th, 2025</b>. Interviews online are foreseen during the second half of January 2026.</font></span></p>
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<span style="font-size:12px"><font face="DejaVuSans">Best regards, </font></span></p>
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<div dir="auto" style="line-break:after-white-space">University of Bern<br>
Institute of Geography & Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research, <br>
Lake Sediments and Paleolimnology Group<br>
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Petra Zahajská, PhD.<br>
Postdoctoral Researcher</div>
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Hallerstrasse 12, Rm 312<br>
3012 Bern, Switzerland<br>
<a href="mailto:petra.zahajska@unibe.ch">petra.zahajska@unibe.ch</a><br>
Teams (Tel.).: +41 (0)31 684 50 94<br>
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<a href="https://www.oeschger.unibe.ch/">https://www.oeschger.unibe.ch/</a> (Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research)<br>
<a href="https://www.geography.unibe.ch/research/paleolimnology_group/index_eng.html">https://www.geography.unibe.ch/research/paleolimnology_group/index_eng.html</a> (Paleolimnology, Research Group)</div>
<div dir="auto" style="line-break:after-white-space"><a href="https://www.geography.unibe.ch/research/paleolimnology_group/hyperspectral_scanning_laboratory/index_eng.html">https://www.geography.unibe.ch/research/paleolimnology_group/hyperspectral_scanning_laboratory/index_eng.html</a> (Hyperspectral
Scanning Laboratory)<br>
ORCiD: <a href="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5858-0616">https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5858-0616</a><br>
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