The Institut des sciences de la mer (ISMER) at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) and Dalhousie University offer one postdoctoral and one PhD position as part of a joint research project supervised by Profs. Stephanie Kusch (Geotop-ISMER) and Markus Kienast (Dalhousie).
As part of the CFREF-funded Transforming Climate Action program, both projects are focused on the application of compound-specific radiocarbon analysis to quantify biospheric and petrogenic terrestrial OC fluxes as well as microbial remineralization of this OC pool in different fjord systems along a N-S gradient from northern Baffin Bay to the Saguenay. The compound-specific 14C isotope composition of terrestrial and marine biomarkers will be used to define the terrestrial and marine end members in bulk OC and deconvolve the biospheric and petrogenic terrestrial OC fluxes using Monte Carlo simulations. Compound-specific 14C analysis of viable biomarkers will be used to quantify microbial remineralization of the buried biospheric and petrogenic terrestrial OC. Complementary biomarker proxies will be used to reconstruct the paleoenvironmental conditions (SST, MAAT, vegetation type, pH etc) and link them to changing OC fluxes in marine and land-terminating fjord systems.
The Transforming Climate Action program offers additional funding, international exchange, and professional development opportunities.
Required profile postdoc position:
- PhD degree in geochemistry, marine geology, oceanography, Earth sciences, or a related field
- Knowledge of geochemical methods, a solid background in organic geochemical methods (especially with preparative GC and LC-MS/MS) is an asset
- Experience in sediment core analysis and/or marine fieldwork
- Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
- Fluency in English is an asset
Required profile PhD position:
- Master's degree in geochemistry, marine geology, oceanography, Earth sciences, or a related field
- Knowledge of geochemical methods is an asse
- Ability to work independently and as part of a research team
- Fluency in English is an asset
What we offer:
- Fully funded scholarships and research-related costs (PhD: $22,000/year scholarship for 3 years; postdoc: $50,000/year for 2.5 years with possibility for extension)
- Access to state-of-the-art geochemistry laboratories and field equipment (https://ibg.uqar.ca)
- Dynamic and inclusive research environment
- Participation in oceanographic missions (CCGS Amundsen), national and international conferences, and TCA activities
To apply:
Applications will be evaluated until positions are filled. For further information and to apply, please contact stephanie_kusch [at] uqar.ca (stephanie_kusch(at)uqar.ca) – applications should contain a brief motivation letter and CV (one pdf). Positions open until filled.