Job description

MARUM is an internationally recognized center for marine environmental research with a focus on the geosciences, anchored as Research Faculty at the University of Bremen. MARUM provides an ideal environment for postdoctoral researchers to become excellent in their field of expertise and to develop their personal skills to further their career. MARUM offers rich opportunities for transdisciplinary exchange and collaboration across different disciplines. Postdoctoral researchers can make use of coaching and mentoring offers.

MARUM takes part in the large-scale international project AEGIS (Ancient Environmental Genomics Initiative for Sustainability), an effort coordinated by the University of Copenhagen and involving ten institutions across Europe, South Korea and the United States. Modern agricultural practices have built cropping systems that maximise yields in today’s climate, but lack genetic and organismal diversity and resilience to rapid climatic and environmental change. However, a rich record of past capabilities survives in sedimentary records as ancient biomolecules, including environmental DNA (eDNA). The main idea behind AEGIS is to tap into this vast archive to retrieve genetic and organismal information from the past and use nature’s own solutions to different climates as a means for improving future food sustainability.

Within this project the successful candidate will explore climate-vegetation interactions over geological time-scales. In order to do so, the candidate will develop and implement GCxGC-ToF methods for specific plant biomarkers, as well as hyperspectral imaging of sediment cores for rapid detection of changes in environmental conditions. The successful candidate will further co-supervise a PhD student working on the characterization of climatic developments during the domestication and breeding of ancient crops. Plant lipidomic approaches developed in this project will also be applied to modern species. A major goal and benefit of this position is to integrate generated data in the context of the AEGIS project. Good communication with project partners such a (bio)geochemists, (paleo)ecologists, (paleo)climatologist, archaeologists, and geneticists is therefore crucial.

The specific tasks include:

• Identify changes in plant-specific contributions linked to major climatic changes in Earth history
• Develop and implement GCxGC-ToF methods for the characterization of lipid biomarkers for past vegetation, including sophisticated data processing tools for molecular fingerprinting
• Develop and implement Hyperspectral Imaging methods for sediment core scanning and rapid detection of major environmental change
• Supervision of MSc and PhD students and cooperation within a large team, both locally and internationally.
• Publications in high-ranked scientific journals and presentations at international conferences

Requirements

• Completed scientific university degree (Master's degree / university diploma) and a PhD in Geosciences, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, or related areas
• Prior experience in Paleoclimatology and/or Organic Geochemistry
• Skills in Gas-Chromatography and/or Mass-Spectrometry
• Experience with Hyperspectral Imaging or other spectroscopic techniques is an advantage
• Experience with scientific programming (Python, R or equivalent) and affinity to work with large, complex datasets is a benefit
• Self-motivation, creativity, independent thinking and interest in method development
• Proficiency in English, proven writing skills
• Efficient communication with project partners, independent organisation of lab work

General Information

Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since it was founded 50 years ago. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance with great potential for innovation. As an ambitious research university, we stand for the approach of research-based learning and a pronounced orientation towards interdisciplinarity. We actively organise scientific cooperation worldwide in a spirit of partnership.

Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to try new things, in supportive cooperation and in respect and appreciation for one another. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and the world.

The University of Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity.

The University of Bremen endeavours to increase the proportion of women in the academic field and therefore expressly encourages women to apply.

Disabled persons with essentially equal professional and personal qualifications will be given preferential consideration.

Further information regarding the position can be obtained from Dr Lars Wörmer (lwoermerprotect me ?!marumprotect me ?!.de) or Prof. Dr Kai-Uwe Hinrichs (khinrichsprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de). Your applications should contain your (i) statement of research interests in the context of project, (ii) CV, (iii) copies of relevant documents and (iv) contact information of two references. We look forward to receiving your application with the above-mentioned documents under the reference number A290-24 by 21.10.2024 as a single PDF file by unencrypted e-mail to bewerbung-a29024protect me ?!marumprotect me ?!.de or by post to:

Dr. Lars Wörmer
MARUM – Zentrum für Marine Umweltwissenschaften
Universität Bremen
Postfach 33 04 40
D-28334 Bremen

We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed. Application costs cannot be reimbursed.