Junior Research Fellowships (Marine palaeoclimatology), VU University Amsterdam, Amsterdam
Posting Date: 24 September 2009
Closing Date: 30 September 2009
The Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, department of Earth Sciences of
the VU University Amsterdam is offering two junior research fellowships
in marine palaeoclimatology (ESR Fellowships). The fellowships are
sponsored by the 7th Framework Programme of the European Community as
part of the Marie Curie Initial Training Network “GATEWAYS”.
The ESR fellows will be embedded within the section marine Biogeology
of the Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences. The ESR fellowships (Early
Stage Research fellowships) are directed towards establishing the
variability of the greater Agulhas Current regime off southeast Africa
under contrasting climates of the past, and the dynamics of the water
transport from the Indian Ocean to the Atlantic during these times.
Analytical methodologies will comprise micropalaeontology, stable
isotope and trace element geochemistry. The main research challenges
will be to reconstruct past Agulhas gateway geometry and sea-water
characteristics, such as temperature and salinity, for periods of
different climate states during the Late Pleistocene. This in order to
obtain a systematic and consistent view of the transient development of
glacial to inter-glacial inter-ocean exchange dynamics. The junior
research fellows will develop and apply quantitative microfossil and
geochemical indices / proxies for past Indian-Atlantic water exchange.
Eligibility. Following EU recruitment and mobility regulations you are
eligible to apply for the fellowships at the VU University Amsterdam if:
- you are a Dutch national and have legally resided and had your
main activity outside The Netherlands and the EU (i.e., in a
non-associated third country) for at least three of the last four years
immediately prior to your appointment;
- you are not a Dutch national and have not resided or carried out
your main activity in The Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3
years immediately prior to their appointment (short stays such as
holidays are not taken into account);
- you hold a Master degree in a relevant field, with experience in
at least one of the fields of palaeo-oceanography, marine biology or
marine chemistry, and are in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent)
of your research career, including the period of research training,
starting at the date of obtaining the degree which formally entitles
you to enter a doctorate;
Duration of contract: Each fellowship appointment will be 1,0 fte for a
period of 36 months. ESR fellows are expected to achieve a PhD degree
during their fellowship.
Salary: The salary is according to the standards for Masters level
researchers (Researcher 4) minimum € 2.379,- (salary scale 10),
gross per month, based on a full-time employment. You can find
information about our fringe benefits of employment at
www.vu.nl/vacatures
Application documents: Applicants submit, with reference to the vacancy
number, a letter of interest, their curriculum vitae, and the name,
address, email and telephone number of two referees. Send your
application, either by mail or email, to the VU University Amsterdam,
attn. Dr. J.M.R.M. Neutelings, Managing Director, Faculty of Earth and
Life Sciences, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam. Applications by
email should be send to:
falw- vacatures@falw.vu.nl
Contact: More information about the department of Earth Sciences can be
found at www.falw.vu.nl. Information on the fellowship positions can be
obtained from
Dr. Frank Peeters
Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Section Marine Biogeology
VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Tel. +31 (0)20 5987419
The VU university Amsterdam and the GATEWAYS project employ an equal opportunity policy and particularly invite women to apply.
Open PhD Position, Paläontologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
Posting Date: 19 September 2009
Closing Date: 16 October 2009
This position is attached to the Swiss National Science Foundation
project “Phylogenetic relation- ships of placodont reptiles
(Diapsida, Sauropterygia) as evidenced by 3D imaging, bone histology,
and developmental data”, we invite applications for a PhD
position (3 years funding).
In a comparative approach, the successful candidate will re-examine
previously described placodont taxa in the light of novel morphological
/ osteological data (CT scanning and 3D reconstruction of crania),
which will then be integrated with histological (microanatomy and bone
microstructure) and developmental data. The PhD position includes
museum visits world wide, cooperation with leading scientists in the
field, as well as extensive lab work. Details about the PhD project
will be discussed upon interviews with the best- qualified applicants.
The ideal candidate will be a palaeontologist or zoologist with a
strong motivation to contribute to the success of our research project.
Previous participation in research activities and excellent writing
skills in English are required. Knowledge of German is desirable. The
selected candidate will be expected to help in teaching (3 to 5 hours
weekly average, 3-4 months per year), writing scientific articles and
proposals to raise additional research funds.
Experience in vertebrate osteology and 3D modelling of CT scan data will be considered as valuable assets.
The successful candidate will work in the research group
‘Vertebrate Com- parative Ontogeny and Palaeobiology’ at
the Palaeontological Institute and Museum of the University of Zurich
(PIMUZ), under the supervision of Dr. Torsten Scheyer. For information
on the research group, current research projects and lab publications,
please visit our
website.
The field of Evolutionary Biology and Palaeontology at the University
of Zurich and the neighbouring Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
(ETH Zürich) offers an exceptional academic environment for
research and study. The Institute of Palaeontology of the University of
Zürich offers state-of-the-art research facili- ties in an
international and stimulating academic environment.
Candidates are invited to send their letter of motivation (1-2 pages),
CV, a copy of their Master’s thesis, and two reference letters to
Dr. Torsten Scheyer
Paläontologisches Institut und Museum
Universität Zürich
Karl Schmid-Strasse 4
CH-8006 Zurich
Switzerland
Intended start of project: December 1 2009 or January 1 2010.
