6 PhD or Early Stage Researcher positions Geological Time Scale Utrecht University

The scientific goal of the network is to establish the next generation standard Geological Time Scale with unprecedented accuracy, precision, resolution and stability for the last 100 Myr through integration and intercalibration of state-of-the-art numerical dating. We subdivided the research programme on scientific grounds around three ‘time slices’ tasks: Neogene, Paleogene and Cretaceous.

The Neogene time scale is astronomically dated but this dating needs to be fine-tuned. Radio-isotopic dating of Neogene ash layers is challenging. Comparison with astronomical ages offers excellent opportunities for gaining insight into isotope systematics, such as potential mineral residence times (in U/Pb dating) and the age of mineral dating standards (40Ar/39Ar dating). Evidently, the outcome of the Neogene projects is crucial for the work carried out in the older, Paleogene and late Cretaceous intervals and thus for GTSnext as a whole.

The following positions are still available:

40Ar/39Ar dates for geomagnetic reversal boundaries of the last 3 Myr: what is

• their real age? (Roskilde University, Denmark)
  
• Intercalibrating U-Pb zircon ages of Miocene volcanic ashes with their astronomical and 40Ar/39Ar ages (University of Geneva, Switzerland)
  
• New radio-isotopic age constraints to tie floating Paleogene astrochronologies: what is causing hypothermals? (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands)
  
• Isotopic ages for the Eocene-Oligocene boundary: insights into the greenhouse-icehouse transition (NERC Isotope Geoscience Laboratory and University of Leicester, United Kingdom)
  
• The late Cretaceous time scale: new 40Ar/39Ar age constraints for astronomical tuning (Université Paris Sud XI, France)
  
• U/Pb dating and the integrated Cretaceous time scale: what is causing Oceanic Anoxic Events? (Wilhelms Universität Münster, Germany)

QUALIFICATIONS

Successful applicants are not restricted to EU and associated countries, but must fulfil the Marie Curie ITN mobility rules (see http://www.earthtime-eu.eu/). They must also comply with the following selection criteria:

• MSc degree in Earth Sciences or equivalent giving access to post-graduate research study;
• Less than 4 years research experience after completion of Diploma/Master's degree;
• PhD has not previously been awarded.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Remuneration for each position will be in accordance with the regulations of the Marie Curie ITN scheme.

Salary: € 40.000 - € 53.000 gross per year including mobility allowance and depending on country.

DEADLINE

All positions stay open until filled, but should be filled no later than September 1st, 2009.

FURTHER DETAILS

http://applicaties.csc.uu.nl/uuvacature/detail.cfm?export=0&id=2746&taal=Engels