Deadline: March 16, 2012
Project:
Banded Iron Formations are highly controversial (meta‐)sedimentary rocks characterized by the presence of alternating layers of iron‐rich and amorphous silica‐rich layers. In the context of early earth evolution, it is the possible link to an evolving biosphere that makes BIFs particularly interesting. Iron is used as a metabolic agent by numerous microorganisms. Some of these, including specific species of oxygenic‐ and anoxygenic‐ photoautotrophs and chemoferrotrophs, lend credit to the theory of BIF‐deposition being a microbially mediated process.
The project comprises, on one hand, the detailed mineralogical and geochemical characterization of banded irons from Western Australia, and, on the other hand, the experimental simulation of microbially mediated precipitation of iron minerals.
Modern preparation techniques (Focused Ion Beam [FIB] preparation), analytical electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), geochemical analysis (Microprobe, ICP‐MS, DEGAS) will be utilized to structurally and chemically characterize the natural banded irons as well as the experimentally produced iron precipitates at the sub‐micrometer scale.
The candidate should ideally have an educational background in geology, mineralogy and/or chemistry. Skills in optical and/or electron microscopy methods as well as microbiology would be desirable but is not a criterion of exclusion.
Application Guidelines
For the first stage of the application procedure (submission of the “Statement of Interest” form):
- Please acquaint yourself with the open projects being offered within the 9th JSMC Recruitment Call
- Download and complete the “Statement of Interest” form.
- Save the completed “Statement of Interest” on your computer (filename: JSMC–.PDF)
- Submit this pdf document as an email attachment to apply-jsmc(at)uni-jena.de
Please note:
- Applications can ONLY be considered if the COMPLETED “Statement of Interest” form is received on time.
- DO NOT submit any unrequested additional documents (e.g., CV, certificates, etc.) until asked to do so.
- You are welcome to contact the corresponding project supervisor(s) if you have specific scientific questions on a research project. However, DO NOT send any application material directly to the project supervisors.
If you have questions on the recruitment procedure, please refer to the FAQ first. If your questions persist, please contact apply-jsmc(at)uni-jena.de.
