Postdoctoral researcher in clumped isotope geochemistry of methane in Zürich

100%, Zurich, fixed-term

The Clumped Isotope Geochemistry Group at the Geological Institute of ETH Zurich (Prof. Stefano Bernasconi) and the Laboratory for Air Pollution and Environmental Technology of the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) (Dr. Lukas Emmenegger, Dr. Joachim Mohn) in Dübendorf, are looking for a Post-doc in clumped isotope geochemistry of methane.

This project is a collaboration between the Climate Geology Group (ETH) and the Laboratory for Air Pollution / Environmental Technology (Empa) to advance the use of clumped (doubly substituted) isotopes in methane (CH4) by developing a new quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based spectrometer and its application to geological questions.

The goal of the project is to extract methane from a series of rocks with a well-known thermal history and combine its clumped isotope composition with that of U/Pb dated carbonate cements, and clumped isotopes in carbonates to improve our understanding of orogenic processes and of the origin of thermogenic methane. The research will be done in close collaboration with a post-doc who is currently developing and calibrating the QCL-spectrometer and a PhD student who will also work on geological applications of clumped isotopes of methane and carbonates.

This is a fixed term 3 years position funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation with a possible start as soon as possible.

The project will involve method development for sample preparation/purification and analysis of methane as well as U/Pb dating and measurement of clumped isotopes of carbonate cements and veins. The position also involves field work in the Alps, Pyrenees and Appennines.

The position will be based at the Geological Institute of the ETH Zürich (Prof. Stefano Bernasconi) but will require close collaboration with the group at Empa in the nearby town of Dübendorf.

You should be highly motivated and team oriented, have a background in geochemistry or geology with good analytical skills and interest in developing analytical methods. Previous eperience with clumped isotope analysis is not a must but desirable. Candidates are expected to have an excellent academic record and be fluent in written and spoken English. Due to the grant regulations priority will be given to candidates that completed their PhD less than 2 years ago.

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