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Dear colleagues, please forward these open PhD positions to any interested students. ***apologies for cross-posting*** Many thanks, Enno Schefuss -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen* **Two PhD Studentships Northwest African biomes and climate variability during the Pliocene The Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM), University of Bremen, Germany (http://www.marum.de/) has openings for two three-year PhD positions, which form a common project funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) through the “Schwerpunktprogramm” (special interest programme) IODP/ODP. This project strives for improved understanding of the variability of climate and vegetation in Northwest Africa during the Pliocene in connection with the changes in the Atlantic overturning circulation and heat transport associated with the closure of the Central American Seaway. Investigations follow two different, but complimentary approaches that involve two PhD studentships. *First PhD studentship: *Organic Geochemistry, involving extraction and analyses of marine algal and terrestrial plant-derived lipids from marine sediments of ODP cores. Marine lipids will be used for estimation of sea-surface temperature changes, while terrigenous lipids will be analyzed for compound-specific isotopes to draw inferences on continental vegetation types and hydrology. Work includes extraction, fractionation and purification of lipid extracts, analyses by gas-chromatography and mass-spectrometric isotope analyses. Prior experiences in organic geochemical methods and/or isotope analyses are advantageous. *Second PhD studentship:* Palynology, involving analysis of African pollen and spores, for the reconstruction of vegetation development in Northwest African savannah woodland and forest biomes using marine sediments of ODP cores. This includes sample preparation, microscopy, and interpretation in terms of particle transport and biomes. Furthermore, analysis of dinoflagellate cysts will be used to add information about marine surface water conditions of the Atlantic. Experience in palynology is required. We seek enthusiastic individuals holding a Masters (M.Sc.) or 'Diplom' degree in geosciences, biology or related disciplines with a strong interest in palaeoclimate. Successful candidates should have the ability for interdisciplinary work, presentation of results at (inter)-national meetings, and writing of manuscripts. Applicants should submit before *October 9, 2010 *sending ● CV; ● Documents (copies only); ● Statement describing specific interest in the respective project and relevant experience; ● Names and addresses of two references. Materials concerning the first studentship should preferably be emailed to Dr. Enno Schefuß ([log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>) and those concerning the second studentship to Dr. Lydie Dupont ([log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]>) or they could be sent to the attention of Dr. Lydie Dupont, c/o MARUM – University of Bremen, Leobener Straße, D-28359 Bremen, Germany. Salary will be according to the German civil service remuneration system TVL 13/2 (formerly BAT IIa/2). As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. In case of equal personal aptitudes and qualification, disabled persons will be given priority.