student assistant

Job Description

The silicate weathering feedback - by drawing down atmospheric CO2 during the weathering of the Earth surface - is what stabilizes Earth's climate on geological timescales, helping to moderate the effect of volcanic CO2 emissions. However, there have been recent findings from the Eocene geological record that indicate that transient changes in the weatherability of the Earth surface can lead to rises in atmospheric CO2, and prompt global warming events. Such dynamic silicate weathering would make the process not only a feedback, but a forcing on Earth's climate on geological timescales. Understanding this time period, therefore, is critical to understanding how our planet's climate is regulated. To investigate this question, a project in Section 3.3 of the GFZ will be using Li and Si isotopes in foraminifera and siliceous microfossils respectively to trace the dynamics of the silicate weathering feedback at this time.

Your Responsibilities

• Picking marine microfossils from IODP ocean drilling core material.
• The student assistant would work as part of a DFG-funded project looking at changes in the Earth's silicate weathering feedback in the mid-late Eocene.
• She/He will be trained in vital micropalaeontological skills including planktic foraminiferal and radiolarian taxonomy.

Your Qualifications

• Enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's programme.
• Motivated, reliable and inquisitive.

What We Offer

• Ambitious and varied tasks in a dynamic and international research environment.
• State-of-the-art equipment.
• Public service benefits.
• Flexible working hours and conditions.
• Support with finding a good work-life balance offered by benefit@work.
• Working at the Albert Einstein science park on the Telegrafenberg in Potsdam.
• Work place within walking distance of Potsdam main train station, or just a short ride on the shuttle bus.

Details

• Start date: 1^st November 2023.
• Fixed-term: 6 months, with the option to extend (this requires a valid enrollment certificate).
• Salary: According to the rules of the TdL (tariff area East) for student assistants currently € 12.00 (without a bachelor's degree) and € 12.72 (with a bachelor's degree).
• Working hours: 10 h/week (approx. 40 h/month).
• Place of work: Potsdam.

Application Process

Have we piqued your interest? If so, we look forward to receiving your application by 29^th October 2023. Please use our online application form only.

Diversity and Equal Opportunities

Diversity and equal opportunities are integral components of our human resources policy. The GFZ actively promotes diversity and explicitly welcomes applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of ethnic and social origin, nationality, gender, sexual orientation and identity, religion/belief, age and physical characteristics.