Job Description

Field(s) of Specialization:

Engineering, chemical oceanography, physical oceanography, oceanographic modelling, biogeochemistry , planetary geochemistry

Position Title:

PhD position on planetary and ocean worlds redox modelling

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 (late 2022-2023), we are looking a highly motivated PhD researcher with background as oceanographer, planetary scientists or engineer willing to build a career in the geochemical modelling of Ocean Worlds of the Solar System, inspired and learning from the hard data generated from analogue environments of the Earth's deep oceans.

 

The post offers unique career paths  focusing on the intersection of chemical oceanography, nanotechnology and astrobiology

 

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. 

 

In that regard,  the PhD fellow will be mainly involved in the conceptualization and implementation of  a new Ocean Worlds multi-box model to represent possible metal redox cycles and metabolic implications in the saltwater oceans in the Moons of Jupiter and Saturn.

 

Both chemical oceanographers as well as candidates with strong engineering, analytical, planetary geosciences and environmental chemistry backgrounds, with a strong motivation to expand their profiles with modelling 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 and will be co-supervised by the ecosystem modeling group of the METU-IMS as well, led by Prof. Baris Saihoglu, Prof. Bettina Fach and Dr Sinan Arkin. 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:
  •  Develop and maintain planetary and geochemical models, and participate in field expeditions as needed
  • Take part in 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, planetary sciencei astronomy 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:
  • Experience with Fortran, Matlab, C++ or similar platforms
  • 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 to  (myucel@ims.metu.edu.tr)

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

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