Postdoc position: Past Carbon, Future Climate: Decoding Jurassic Cold Snaps

The department of Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry (MMB) at the NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is looking for a highly motivated and proactive postdoctoral researcher (3 years) with a background in (bio)geochemistry and Earth Sciences to investigate past carbon cycle changes associated with the transition from short-lived Mesozoic icehouse to greenhouse transitions. The research is part of a NWO-M1 project called “Past Carbon, Future Climate: Decoding Jurassic Cold Snaps”. The postdoc will be employed and based at the NIOZ (Texel, the Netherlands).

THE INSTITUTE

NWO-NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research is the national oceanographic research institute. The mission of NIOZ is to perform academically excellent multidisciplinary fundamental and frontier-applied marine research addressing important scientific and societal questions pertinent to the functioning of oceans and seas. NIOZ also serves as national marine research facilitator (NMF) for the Netherlands scientific community, and stimulates and supports national and international marine research, marine education programs and marine policy development.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Marine Microbiology & Biogeochemistry Department (MMB) studies microorganisms and biogeochemical processes across marine environments and timescales, from estuaries to the deep ocean and from past to present. Using fieldwork, lab experiments, and biochemical, genomic, and analytical techniques, we investigate the diversity, evolution, physiology, and activity of eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses.

THE PROJECT

In this project we aim to reconstruct Jurassic carbon-cycle dynamics in order to disentangle the secular evolution of Jurassic carbon-climate interaction during rapid icehouse–greenhouse transitions. We propose to reconstruct pCO₂ across multiple Jurassic cold snaps using stable carbon isotope fractionation measured in molecular fossils e.g. phytane. Integrated with Earth System models, this approach allows to quantify carbon–climate feedbacks and identify thresholds that govern transitions between climate states. This project will provide a unique geological perspective on the mechanisms and sensitivities of the carbon cycle by producing reconstructions of pCO₂ across multiple icehouse–greenhouse transitions, thereby potentially constraining the possible trajectory of the modern Earth System under continued rise in pCO₂, improving predictions of long-term climate evolution and the risk of crossing irreversible thresholds.

YOUR ROLE

Within the project, you will combine stratigraphy, organic geochemistry and Earth System modelling approaches in order to reconstruct and quantify pCO₂ throughout Early and Middle Jurassic cold snap intervals. The MMB department is looking for an enthusiastic and independent postdoc to carry out field work, laboratory analyses and numerical modelling approaches. You will collect samples from outcrops and core repositories, perform lipid biomarker extractions and GC-based analyses to identify organic compounds and measure compound-specific and bulk carbon-isotope ratios. Furthermore, you will utilize Earth System models of low and intermediate complexity to contextualize the analytical results. You will closely collaborate with researchers addressing complementary aspects of stratigraphy, sedimentology and geochemistry at other institutes.

THE CANDIDATE

We seek a skilled, experienced and ambitious candidate who has a collaborative personality, demonstrated strong capability for field work and strong analytical skills. You have a keen interest in paleoenvironmental reconstructions and organic geochemistry, an interest in modelling approaches, and:

• A PhD in Earth Sciences, biogeochemistry, or related discipline

• A strong interest in organic geochemistry and hands-on laboratory work

• You are able to independently plan, organize and conduct sampling campaigns

• Demonstrated ability to work with programming software for data analysis and numerical modelling

• Strong track record and presentation skills

• Excellent written and spoken English skills

NIOZ is a transparent institute with a healthy working climate and an inclusive culture, where people with diverse backgrounds and genders bring their talents and further develop these talents. We aim for inclusive decision-making processes and expect our leadership and staff to show visible commitment, awareness of bias, and cultural intelligence.

THE CONDITIONS

• Employment of this full-time position for 40 hours a week at Royal NIOZ  NWO-I for a duration of three years. 

• Salary compliant with CAO-WVOI  (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Research Institutes) scale 10 or 11 depending on relevant experience.

• The freedom to fulfill your role and space and opportunities for your personal (talent) development with the help of the NIOZ Academy.

• 338 annualized holiday hours for a full-time 40-hour work week.

• Pension scheme via ABP, 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of

• 8.33%. · 2nd class public transportation travel is reimbursed 100%.

• Employment benefits plan to exchange a portion of your salary for days off or vice versa or can be used to purchase a bicycle with tax benefits.

• We offer relocation expenses for employees coming from abroad and support with finding accommodation.

MORE INFORMATION

Closing date July 24.

For additional information about this vacancy, please contact Marcel van der Meer (marcel.van.der.Meer@nioz.nl). For additional information about the procedure, please send an e-mail to working@nioz.nl