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In order to fill a fixed-term position in full-time (39.83 hours/week = 100%) at the earliest possible date, we are looking for one

Postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) for 2 years with 39,83 hours/week (100%, TV-L E13)

The 'Geomorphology and Geohazards' working group at the Institute of Geosciences, Ruhr University Bochum, studies the evolution of Earth's surface during the Quaternary. We employ a combination of field, laboratory, and numerical methods to understand the interaction between transport, weathering and erosion processes, as well as their climatic and tectonic drivers at the Earth's surface, alongside human-landscape interactions. Our group focuses on developing and applying geochronological techniques, particularly electron spin resonance (ESR) dating. ESR's main advantage is its potential to cover the entire Quaternary (i.e., the last 2.6 million years approx.), a period marked by profound climatic oscillations (i.e., glacial–interglacial cycles) and the evolution and progressive global dispersal of the genus Homo. Nevertheless, obtaining accurate depositional ages using ESR in sedimentary environments remains challenging, and the full potential of ESR in Quaternary geochronology has not yet been fully explored. We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher (m/f/x) to join a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). The candidate (m/f/x) will work with us on cutting-edge investigations of ESR dating of quartz grains, with a special emphasis on single-grain analyses to improve the accuracy and reliability of the method. Laboratory work is central to the project, focusing on implementing standardised single-grain ESR measurement protocols for landscape and human evolution research. The ideal candidate (m/f/x) will have a background in Earth Sciences, Physics, or an equivalent field, with demonstrated experience in trapped-charge dating.

Scope: full-time
Duration: fixed-term, 2 years
Start: at the earliest possible date
Apply by: 2026-05-25

Your tasks:

• Laboratory analyses for quartz characterisation

• Testing different ESR spectroscopic techniques and procedures at Ruhr University Bochum and other partner institutions like the Centro Nacional de Investigación sobre la Evolución Humana (CENIEH, Spain)

• Optimising single-grain ESR protocols using synthetic and natural quartz samples

• Conducting ESR analyses (e.g., laboratory experiments, dose response, thermal stability)

• Working on statistical models for age estimation

Your profile:

Required qualifications:
• PhD degree in geosciences, physics, or equivalent
• Experience in geochronological techniques (Ideally, the candidate (m/f/x) should be familiar with ESR dating/dosimetry method; however, additional skills in other dating methods such as luminescence, U-series, or various Quaternary dating techniques will also be positively evaluated)
• Experience in laboratory work and analytical techniques (e.g., sample preparation, data acquisition and reduction)

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in ESR spectroscopy

• Experience in trapped-charge dating techniques

• Knowledge in statistics

• Excellent organisational skills

• Ability to achieve analytical goals together with colleagues (Teamwork skills)

• Excellent command of English (written and spoken); German is helpful but not required

https://jobs.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/jobposting/f077ca38280322db93dfc7f0b30254ae0a601cf50?ref=AfA