Job Description

Field(s) of Specialization:

Chemical oceanographer/ Analytical geochemist / environmental chemist focusing on redox sensitive metal cycling

Position Title:

PhD position on chemical oceanography

School/Institute/Unit:

METU – Institute of Marine Sciences

Location:

Mersin - TURKEY

Summary Description:

 

In the frame of Horizon-Europe funded ERC Consolidator Grant project DeepTrace, we are looking a highly motivated PhD researcher to join our ERC research team at METU IMS.

 

ERC CoG DeepTrace (late 2022-2027) will advance a ground-breaking mechanistic, analytical and predictive understanding of how the life-supporting metals cycle across Earth's deep-sea ecosystems such as the Black Sea and hydrothermal vents, developing the application of metal nanoparticles as tracers of planetary redox habitability and bridging the study of Earth's Oceans with the Ocean Worlds of the Solar system.

 

DeepTrace will tap the potential of tracing redox metals as one of best opportunities in the next decade for detecting life in Ocean Worlds, and accelerate improved parametrizations of metal cycles for better prediction of Earth’s marine ecosystems under multi-stressors such as deoxygenation, warming and biodiversity loss.

 

The PhD fellow will be mainly involved in seagoing expeditions and associated laboratory work related to the co-mobilization of enzymatic cofactor metals across hydrothermal vents and marine redox gradients with a focus on integrating multiple spectrophotometric and mass spectrometric methods . Both chemical oceanographers as well as candidates with strong analytical and environmental chemistry backgrounds, with a strong motivation to expand their profiles with oceanography will be considered for this position.

 

Candidates  from not from marine science background but from all relevant engineering fields, geology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics are encouraged to apply to these positions.  Motivation and capacity to take on a multidisciplinary challenge is the most important quality.

 

You will be embedded in a highly diverse and multidisciplinary ERC research group led by Dr Mustafa Yucel (www.deepsearedox.com) and will be interacting with a range of researchers based at METU IMS as well as abroad. The position involves ERC-funded field trips and research cruises, support for travels to major conferences of oceanography, planetary geosciences and astrobiology. 

 

METU-IMS is the leading international marine science institute in Turkey with a 100% English education and research.  All METU-IMS faculty engage in teaching, research and service. The Institute carries out research on the Eastern Mediterranean as well as on the Aegean, Black Seas, and Turkish Straits System..

 

This is a minimum 2 years full-time position expected start date in  Fall 2023

 

The candidate will be based at the seashore-based METU-IMS campus, located in Mersin, Turkey.

Responsibilities:
  •  Participate in seagoing oceanography expeditions with R/V Bilim and international seagoing R/Vs in different oceans.
  • Conduct laboratory preparations and sample analyses related to expedition work.
  • Take part in ERC project activities, including meetings and workshops and represent IMS teams when needed.
  • Lead the drafting of project reports, deliverables and manuscript drafts.
  • Contribute to project management as needed.

Minimum Degree Required:

Masters degree  from not from marine science background but from all relevant engineering fields, geology, molecular biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics are encouraged to apply to these positions.  Motivation and capacity to take on a multidisciplinary challenge is the most important quality.

Required special knowledge, abilities, and skills:
  • Chemical analysis methods of complex water matrices
  • Fieldwork logistics and organization
  • Minimum of 2-year relevant experience in a similar role in an international or EU project
  • Excellent level of English. Other languages are a plus.
  • Excellent teamwork capability
  • Ability to travel in Turkey and abroad
  • Military obligations fulfilled where applicable

Preferred special knowledge, abilities, and skills:
  • Demonstrated ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment, within and across departments/functions, managing multiple priorities
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Creativity thinking through new ideas and approaches

Posting Date:

May 2022

Closing Date:

Open Until Filled

Date Review Begins:

As soon as applications are received

Required Applicant Documents to Submit:

Applicants are asked to submit a CV, a 2-page (max.) statement of experience and interests, and names of at least 2 references as a single PDF file

Quick link for Posting:

Please send your application documents directly to Assoc. Prof. Mustafa Yücel (myucel@ims.metu.edu.tr) and also  full details of the application procedure can be found here:

http://ims.metu.edu.tr/graduate-programs

Note that you will need English (TOEFL or equivalent) or ALES/GRE scores.

 

Proposed Start Date:

September 2023

Type of Contract:

 Minimum 2 years

Job Status:

Full-time

Salary:

Your salary will be at least at the level of a public university research assistant in Turkey and may increase in proportion to your skills, qualifications and performance.

Pay Basis:

Monthly 

Position open to internal candidates only?

No