Project title: Southern Ocean Iron Fertilization near Islands: Fe-Isotope Exchange between Reactive Par-ticles and Seawater
Supervisor: Prof. Michael Staubwasser

The environmental isotope geochemistry group of Prof. Michael Staubwasser at the Institute of Geolo-gy and Mineralogy of University of Cologne, Germany, invites applications for a PhD position funded by the German DFG. The project's objective is to identify sources and processes of natural Southern Ocean Fe-fertilization from sub-antarctic ocean islands by stable Fe-isotope analysis of both dissolved Fe and particulate Fe. The project includes field work, experimental work on leaching reactive particulate Fe-phases for analysis, clean-room sample preparation, MC-ICP mass-spectrometry analysis of samples, and publication of results. The project should be concluded with a doctoral thesis and earning of a PhD degree. Ideal, but not strictly required, would be participation on an upcoming research cruise with the German icebreaker RV POLARSTERN in mid-November and December this year, if cruise and other re-quirements can be met in the short amount of remaining time.

Your profile:

• MSc in geosciences or marine chemistry, preferentially with a focus on isotopic studies
• Experience with geochemical analysis and lab-work, preferentially including clean-room sample preparation and mass spectrometry
• Sound knowledge of the principles of stable isotope fractionation
• Readiness to conduct field work on research ships and on land
• Advanced skills with the English language

The position is available from 01.Nov.2022 - pending clearance of administrative requirements - or later as agreed, and is limited to three years. If the applicant meets the relevant wage requirements and personal qualifications, the salary is based on remuneration group 13 TV-L (75%) of the pay scale for the German public sector.

The University of Cologne promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations. Women are strongly encouraged to apply and given priority in accordance with the Equal Opportunities Act of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesgleichstellungsgesetz - LGG NRW).

Please apply by email to Prof. Michael Staubwasser - m.staubwasser@uni-koeln.de - with proof of qualification. Your application should include a cover letter outlining your motivation and your expertise regarding the project tasks, CV, copies of certificates, and letter(s) of reference or contact details of po-tential referees.

Please direct any questions to the same address.

The application deadline is 18.Sep.2022.