Marie Curie Initial Training Network iTECC: “Investigating Tectonism-Erosion-Climate-Couplings” invites applications for:
11 PhD or Early Stage Researcher & 4 post-doc or Experienced Researcher positions
Tectonics and climate are interdependent. The tectonics of orogens are moderated by climate through erosion. Exposure of rock by tectonics or erosion is critical to the feedback which governs changes in global climate, whilst topography influences rainfall.
The principle objective of iTECC is to use the Himalaya as a natural laboratory to train young scientists in understanding such coupled processes. iTECC will integrate information from sedimentary archives with work on present-day tectonics, weathering, erosion and climate. Hereto iTECC brings together and develops expertise in: observation and modeling of the active deformation of the lithosphere; processes of weathering and erosion; study of the geological records of the past evolution of these processes; and modeling of present and past climate change. The breadth of this research provides training in observational, analytical and mathematical methods applied in Earth and environmental sciences.
The proposed interdisciplinary training will result in a cohort of Earth Scientists with the cross-disciplinary expertise to enable them to tackle the problems posed in understanding the complex earth processes which moderate our surface environment.
iTECC offers:
• Training through research in a multi-disciplinary context ranging from Solid Earth processes to climate, and opportunities to apply their skills in academia and industry.
• Research projects that are interrelated and clearly defined in terms of work packages with pre-arranged opportunities for secondments with other network partners in complementary research fields.
• Annual thematic workshops on the progress of research in the work packages.
• A workshop program teaching theory of topography development, isotopic analysis, atmosphere circulation.
• A workshop program to develop academic skills, such as project planning, presentation skills etc.
The following projects are offered:
PhD position 1: Coupled models of tectonic evolution, climate and erosion. Further information: professor Peter van der Beek UJF Grenoble ([email protected]).
PhD position 2: The effect of Himalayan uplift on regional climate. Further information: dr. Y. Donnadieu, CEA- LSCE Paris, France ([email protected])
PhD position 3 : Use of geochemical and stable isotopic methods as proxies for erosion and weathering intensity. Further information: dr. Christian France-Lanord, CNRS-CRPG Nancy, Vandoeuvre, France. ([email protected])
PhD position 4: Monsoonal variability and erosional processes on decadal to millennial time-scales. Further information: professor Manfred Strecker, University of Potsdam, Germany, ([email protected])
PhD position 5: Tectonic vs. climatic control on Quaternary – Recent erosion and exhumation rates. Further information: professor Peter van der Beek, UJF Grenoble ([email protected])
PhD position 6: Causes of major tectonic transitions. Further information: dr. Yani Najman, University of Lancaster, UK ([email protected] )
PhD position 7: The influence of climate on the sedimentary record. Further information: professor Peter van der Beek, UJF Grenoble ([email protected])
PhD position 8: Improving the resolution of 40Ar/39Ar analyses on smaller & younger mica grains. Further information: professor Jan Wijbrans, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ([email protected] )
PhD position 9: The effect of pore waters on mineral age in U-Th/He dating. Further information: professor Cornelia Spiegel, University of Bremen, Germany ([email protected])
PhD position 10: The effect of erosion and abrasion on mineral age in U-Th/He dating. Further information: professor Cornelia Spiegel, University of Bremen, Germany ([email protected])
PhD position 11: Stable isotopic analyses of Li, Mg and Ca. Further information: professor Mike Bickle, University of Cambridge, UK ([email protected])
Post-doc position 1: Modelling orogen dynamics and kinematics. Further information: dr. Alex Copley, University of Cambridge, UK ([email protected])
Post-doc position 2: The Palaeocene-Eocene record of far-field effects of the India-Asia collision and foreland uplift. Further information: professor Stuart Burley, Cairn India Ltd., New Delhi, India, ([email protected]) and dr. Yani Najman, University of Lancaster, UK ([email protected])
Post-doc position 3: The Oligocene record: when did substantial clastic input from the Himalaya commence? Further information: dr. Yani Najman, University of Lancaster, UK ([email protected])
Post-doc position 4: Developing multi-collector bias protocols for noble-gas mass spectrometers. Further information: Doug Hamilton, ThermoFisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany ([email protected])
PhD funding is for 3 years, post-doc funding is for 2 years.
We are interested in meeting motivated candidates with a strong background in Earth Systems Science (all), and experience in numerical modeling techniques (PhDs 1 and 5 post-doc 1), modeling atmospheric circulation (PhD2) or isotope geochemistry (PhD3, 8-11, post-doc4).
Information on the complete project can be found on www.falw.vu/~itecc. The project leaders should be contacted for details on the individual projects, including the terms of employment at the various host organizations. Remuneration for each position will be in accordance with the regulations of the Marie Curie ITN scheme and ranges from € 40.000 – 53.000 gross salary / year, including mobility costs and depending on country.
Successful applicants can have any nationality, but must fulfill the Marie Curie ITN mobility rules (see www.falw.vu/~itecc). They must also comply with the following selection criteria:
For PhD positions:
Early Stage Researchers must be (at the time of recruitment by the host organisation): in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree. Research careers are measured from the date when they obtained the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate is envisaged.
For post-doc positions, candidates should
i) be in possession of a doctoral degree
or
ii) have at least four years and less than five years of full-time equivalent research experience (as defined above).
We particularly encourage applications from women candidates. In case of equal qualifications, preference will be given to disabled applicants.
Please send your application before February 25th to the project leader(s) (applications for multiple projects are encouraged) with a copy to the iTECC - Office ([email protected]). Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a statement of your research interests, project preferences and the names and (e-mail) addresses of 2 referees. A recruitment workshop will be organized in Amsterdam on 18 – 20 March, 2013.
For more info, check http://www.falw.vu/~itecc