Research area and project description:
The PhD project will focus on investigating variability in sea-ice in the Greenland region. The overall purpose of the research project is to improve our basic understanding of processes determining sea-ice cover and variability, which is needed for a better prediction of the fate of Arctic sea ice in a warmer world. This will be done through establishing longer time series of sea ice over recent centuries and millennia from the study of marine sediment cores, linking these to modern and past ocean and atmospheric conditions. Within this framework, the specific approach of the PhD project will be decided in collaboration with the successful candidate, but potential studies may include a combination of micropalaeontological (e.g. diatoms or dinoflagellate cysts), sedimentological (IRD) and/or geochemical (e.g., biomarkers, XRF core scanning data, stable isotopes, CaCO3, TOC etc.) analyses. Including sea ice algae ecology and experimental approaches as a minor element of the project is also an option. Comparison with historical and instrumental/satellite data series may provide the link to modern ocean and sea-ice conditions, also identifying the level of uncertainty in the palaeo-reconstructions.

Qualifications and specific competences:
The PhD candidate should have a Master’s (3-year PhD programme) or 4-years studies (4-year PhD programme) in geoscience. A degree in Biology, Chemistry or Physics may also be considered; but in this case the student will be required to partake in courses in Quaternary/Marine Geology during the course of the PhD studies. Experience with sediment core analyses, micropalaeontology, organic geochemistry, and sea-going experience are considered advantageous, but not required.

Applicants are encouraged to enclose a letter of interest stating their own specific research interests and how their background and experience would fit into this project on palaeo sea-ice reconstruction.

Place of Employment and Place of Work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is the Department of Geoscience, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark. For further information on the research group see Palaeoceanography and Palaeoclimate.

Application deadline: May 1, 2019

Contact:
Professor Marit-Solveig Seidenkrantz, Department of Geoscience - iCLIMATE Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; mobile phone +45 2778 2897; Email: mss@geo.au.dk (main supervisor)

Dr. Christof Pearce, Department of Geoscience - iCLIMATE Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, Aarhus University, Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark; mobile phone +45 9350 8915; Email: christof.pearce@geo.au.dk (co-supervisor).

Professor Alexandre Magno Barbosa Anesio, Department of Environmental Science - iCLIMATE Aarhus University Interdisciplinary Centre for Climate Change, Frederiksborgvej 399, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Mobile: +4522568980; Email: ama@envs.au.dk (co-supervisor).