Post-doc in isotope geochemistry

  • Dijon, Côte-d'Or
  • 2 271 €/mois
  • CDD
  • Temps-plein
  • Il y a 22 heures
Offer Description
  • Assigned Lab : UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences
  • Department : UFR SVTE
  • Laboratory description :
The UMR Biogeosciences is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research laboratory that currently includes over a hundred members, among whom are permanent CNRS researchers, associate professors and professors from the University of Burgundy and the EPHE (École Pratique des Hautes Études), technical staff, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and visiting scholars. Biogeosciences investigates the mechanisms of global, climatic, paleoclimatic, and anthropogenic changes, as well as their impacts and interactions with the environment, biodiversity, and society across various temporal and spatial scales. The laboratory is organized around five interacting research teams, whose scientific activities are rooted in the fields of sedimentology, geochemistry, climatology and paleoclimatology, paleontology, environmental sciences, and ecology/evolutionary biology, and are supported by analytical, administrative, and logistical services. The recruited postdoctoral researcher will join the "Sedimentary Systems, Environments and Dynamics" (SEDS) team, which is recognized for its expertise in paleoclimatic evolution and its interactions with sedimentary systems. The team has hosted several projects funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR), as well as H2020 European projects focused on the long-term evolution of the climate system, based on a combination of geochemical and sedimentological approaches.The precipitation of carbonate rocks coupled with silicate weathering is a key mechanism in natural carbon sequestration and the regulation of atmospheric CO₂. Silicate weathering consumes CO₂ and releases ions such as calcium and bicarbonate, which precipitate as carbonates in oceans or lakes, thereby storing carbon over the long term. While the mechanisms of silicate weathering have been extensively studied, those governing carbonate production remain uncertain, limiting our understanding of the factors that could enhance this process. This project explores microbial carbonate precipitation, which may operate over short time scales and help mitigate global warming. Paleolakes, such as the one in the Limagnes Basin in the Massif Central, serve as natural laboratories to study the influence of abiotic factors (temperature, humidity, continental leaching) on primary productivity and microbial carbonate formation. This basin, dated from the late Eocene to the early Miocene, experienced several major climatic events that affected the formation of carbonate deposits. The aim of this project is to produce a series of geochemical and mineralogical records to constrain the evolution of these abiotic factors and determine their role in lake fertilization and the development of microbially induced carbonate precipitation.As part of this project, the recruited postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for field sampling, preparation, analysis, and interpretation of the hafnium and neodymium isotopic composition in clays from the Limagnes formations.PROJECT PHASING :The postdoctoral contract is a one-year renewable contract for a total duration between 14 to 17 months depending on financial ressources, with a planned start October 1, 2025. It is part of a 2-year research project beginning on September 1, 2025, funded by the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté Region and co-funded by HARMI as part of the “Structuration de la Recherche en Bourgogne-Franche-Comté” program, through the TRANSBIO Graduate School.Planned timeline for the postdoctoral contract:October 2025: 5-day field mission in the Limagnes Basin to collect samples and understand the depositional context of the formations.November 2025 to May 2026: Analysis of hafnium and neodymium isotopes by the postdoctoral researcher.May 2026: Presentation of the first results at the EGU (Vienna, Austria).Early June 2026: Second 5-day field mission to complete observations and sample collection.June to September 2026: Acquisition and interpretation of the second set of isotopic data.From September 2026 : acquisition of the last data set, writing and submission of an article to a peer-reviewed international journal.The recruited postdoctoral researcher will work on generating new knowledge about the evolution of weathering of the exposed continental landmasses surrounding the Limagnes Basin during the late Eocene. He/She will apply a recently developed weathering proxy based on the hafnium and neodymium isotopic composition of the clay fraction in sediments (ΔεHf), combined with the identification of clay mineral assemblages and their evolution within the studied sedimentary sequences. The new records produced will be compared with the evolution of carbonate producers, especially microbial, in order to better understand the role of dissolved element and nutrient inputs on primary and carbonate productivity.The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for sampling the targeted sedimentary series, isolating the clay fraction from the sediments, and analysing its hafnium and neodymium isotopic composition, as well as its rare earth element concentrations. Together with the project supervisors and collaborators, they will interpret the results and communicate them through a presentation at an international conference and the publication of an article in a peer-reviewed international journal.RELATIONAL FIELD :The postdoctoral researcher will be hosted within the SEDS team of the Biogeosciences laboratory and will interact with team members as well as with research support staff from the various services involved.Where to apply E-mailemmanuelle.puceat@ube.frRequirementsResearch Field Geosciences Education Level PhD or equivalentSkills/QualificationsDEGREE - QUALIFICATION - FIELD OF EDUCATION REQUIRED :Candidates must hold a PhD focused on the geochemistry of radiogenic or non-traditional isotopes, applied to the characterization of paleoenvironments or, more broadly, surface processes, and must have experience working in a clean lab environment. The ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, as well as to communicate and write fluently in English, is essential. Fieldwork experience would be an asset.EXPECTED SKILLS :Design and lead sample collectionOperate effectively in a clean lab environmentApply element separation protocolsProcess data using appropriate mathematical and computational toolsAnalyse, interpret, and validate resultsDisseminate and promote research findings and technological developmentsOrganize collaborations at national and international levelsConduct scientific and technological monitoring in their field of expertiseLANGUAGE :The ability to work in a multidisciplinary team as well as communicate and write fluently in English is essential. Ability required: Good / ExcellentLanguages ENGLISH Level GoodResearch Field GeosciencesAdditional InformationBenefits
  • Hierarchical level : category “A” - French civil service
Working conditions and specific duties :The project involves two field trips to Limagnes of 5 days each. The separation of rare earth elements, neodymium and hafnium required before isotopic analyses will be carried out in a clean room available at the Biogéosciences laboratory. These phases include the handling of acids and dissolved phases in an environment preventing any external contamination of the samples. The isotope analyses will be carried out on an MC-ICP-MS at the ENS in Lyon, requiring the post-doc to travel to this site for several days. * Geographic location :Université Bourgogne Europe, Laboratoire Biogéosciences, 6 Bd. Gabriel, 21000 Dijon.Rights and obligations, particularly with regard to ethics and intellectual property : The post-doctoral fellow will be bound by professional secrecy with regard to third parties, not only concerning the laboratory's activities relating to the field of study and research, but also concerning the laboratory's activities of which they may have been informed. They may not make any publications or written or oral communications relating to their research without the prior agreement of the project's Scientific Manager. The post-doctoral fellow's publications and communications must be signed jointly by the scientific manager of the research project, who is a full member of the laboratory. The results of the research, whether "patentable" or not, will be the full and complete property of the laboratory, which may file patents in their name to protect the inventions made.
  • Working environment and services :
  • American-style campus with sports facilities available to staff
  • Access to university libraries and catalogues
  • Access to the Atheneum (cultural centre) and its events and activities
  • Possible membership of staff associations (equivalent to a works council)
  • Campus accessible by tram and bus, DIVIA bicycles
  • Sustainable mobility package
  • Partial payment of health insurance
  • Numerous catering outlets (university cafeterias, etc.)
  • A personnel social service in charge of supporting disabled employees
CONTRACT
  • Contract duraction : one-year renewable for a total duration between 14 and 17 months
  • Expected start of contract : 1/10/2025
  • Salary : floor of €2,271 gross (cf. arrêté du 04/11/2021)
Selection process
  • List of documents required to apply :
  • Complete CV including training, certifications, professional and academic experience, most significant publications, internships,
  • A cover letter justifying interest in the position
  • Thesis defense report
  • Contact person for further information :
  • Application to be sent to :
  • Application deadline : UNTIL 29th September 2025
You will receive an e-mail acknowledging receipt of your application within 3 days.Additional commentsInformation :The nationality of applicants, as well as the location of the position (in particular in relation to a zone with restricted access as defined in article R413-5-1 of the French Penal Code, or a sensitive unit), can have consequences in terms of :
  • The time required to draw up the contract, and the administrative procedures involved (additional documents and information requested by prefectures, consulates, etc.).
  • The drawing up of the contract, which can only take place with a favorable opinion from the Senior Defense and Security Official (HFSD) when requested.
Work Location(s)Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Université Bourgogne Europe Country France State/Province Côte d'Or City Dijon Postal Code 21000 Street 6 boulevard Gabriel GeofieldContact State/ProvinceCôte d'Or CityDijon WebsiteStreet6 boulevard Gabriel Postal Code21000 E-Mailemmanuelle.puceat@ube.frSTATUS: EXPIREDShare this page

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