Postdoctoral position in Arctic paleoceanography and marine geophysics: Deglacial and Holocene development of Northeast Greenland fjords based on multiproxy sediment core and shallow-seismic data

The Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark, invites applications for a position at postdoctoral level in the GreenFjords project, funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF). GreenFjords takes an interdisciplinary approach to study the long‑term environmental and climatic development of five fjord systems in northeast Greenland: Dove Bay, Ardencaple Fjord, Young Sound, Kong Oscar Fjord, and Scoresby Sound. This includes reconstructing the glacial history, changes in oceanography, climate variability and their impact on ecosystems over the last ca. 12,000 years, distinguishing local and regional trends. The necessary samples and data have been collected in recent years during expeditions to the area, and include numerous sediment cores, acoustic surveys of the seafloor and sub‑bottom profiles, and transects of hydrographical measurements.

Job description

The postdoctoral project will focus on investigating the history of NE Greenland fjords since the Last Glacial Maximum based on the combined analyses of shallow seismic subbottom profiler data, multibeam data, and marine sediment cores. The successful applicant will map seafloor morphologies (glacial and marine) and sub‑seafloor structures across the NE Greenland Shelf, document the glacier retreat through the fjords, investigate changes in hydrography, and evaluate the relationship between glacial and marine processes in the area since the last glaciation.

The sediment core data will be investigated using multi‑proxy analyses including sedimentology, geochemistry, and/or micropaleontology. Within the scope of the overall GreenFjords project, there is room to tailor the specific project to the expertise and interest of the successful candidate.

Participation in supervision of B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. students and some classroom teaching is also expected.

The position is part of the GreenFjords project funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF). The position has a fixed term of 2 years with start date 1 November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Qualifications

The successful applicant will have a Ph.D. in geoscience or a related field. Candidates should have experience in interpretation of reflection seismic and multibeam echosounder data, and in sediment analyses. Experience with paleoceanography/paleoclimate and combining sediment information and proxy data with seismic data will be considered favourably.

Excellent oral and written English skills are a requirement.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Paleoceanography and Paleoclimate Group, Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Høegh‑Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark: https://geo.au.dk/paleo

Contact information

Applicants seeking further information are invited to contact:

Dr. Christof Pearce, Paleoceanography and Paleoclimate Group, Department of Geoscience, University of Aarhus, Denmark; mobile phone +45 9350 8915; Email: christof.pearce@geo.au.dk.

Professor Marit‑Solveig Seidenkrantz, Paleoceanography and Paleoclimate Group, Department of Geoscience, University of Aarhus, Denmark; mobile phone +45 2778 2897; Email: mss@geo.au.dk.

Professor Katrine Juul Andresen, SeisL‑lab Aarhus, Department of Geoscience, University of Aarhus, Denmark; mobile phone + 45 2082 79 11; Email: katrine.andresen@geo.au.dk

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

• Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.
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