PhD position: Molecular characterisation of rock hyrax middens: novel approaches to palaeoenvironmental reconstructionPalaeoenvironments and Palaeoclimates Research Team (PAL), Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution (ISEM), Université de Montpellier II, France (Dr. Brian M. Chase);Department of Geography, University of Leicester, UK (Dr. Arnoud Boom and Dr. Andrew Carr)As a part of the European Research Council grant HYRAX, we are inviting applications for a PhD project focussed on the geochemical analysis of rock hyrax middens (stratified accumulations of urine and faecal pellets) from southern African. Recent studies (e.g. Carr et al., 2010) demonstrated the preservation of both animal and plant-derived lipid biomarkers within hyrax middens, and this PhD will build on this work to systematically characterise the organic matter and the inorganic matrix that make up these deposits. The primary aim will be to characterise - in detail - the organic matter within hyrax middens and to assess the potential of different organic components as environmental proxies. Compound-specific stable isotope techniques will be developed for inter-alia: palaeo-vegetation (e.g. n-alkane ?13C), palaeo-hydrology (e.g. n-alkane ?D) and animal physiology. This project will ultimately combine with other geochemical and palaeobotanical work to provide a basis for regional-scale palaeoenvironmental reconstructions and vegetation and climate modelling work that will contribute to an improved understanding of African palaeoenvironments using these unique, high resolution terrestrial archives (cf. Chase et al., 2009). This PhD project will use a variety of geochemical techniques, including GC/MS, pyrolysis-GC/MS, and compound-specific stable isotope analysis. Allied techniques for organic matter characterisation may also be employed (e.g. FT-IR and NMR). The successful candidate will be required to use these techniques, and ideally will be able to demonstrate an understanding of, and background in, organic chemistry and/or related discipline(s). A master's degree or equivalent is required. The preferred start date is early November, 2010. The successful candidate will spend time both at ISEM and at the University of Leicester, UK. Applicants should submit 1) a cover letter that highlights their skills, experience, and the fit between this opportunity and their research interests and experience, 2) a curriculum vitae and 3) the names, email addresses, and phone numbers three references. Please email all materials and/or questions to Brian Chase (Brian.Chase@univ-montp2.fr) with the subject line "HYRAX PhD3". Review of applications is ongoing. Dr. Brian Chase References Carr, A.S. Boom, A., Chase B.M. (2010) The potential of plant biomarker evidence derived from rock hyrax middens as an indicator of palaeoenvironmental change. Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology 285, 321-330 doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2009.11.029 Chase, B.M., Meadows, M.E., Scott, L., Thomas, D.S.G., Marais, E., Sealy, J., Reimer, P.J., 2009. A record of rapid Holocene climate change preserved in hyx middens from southwestern Africa. Geology 37, 703-706. http://geology.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/37/8/703 |
