The primary purpose of this Postdoctoral Research Scholar position is to perform research relevant to understanding the proxy records of planktic foraminifera from oxygen minimum zone environments.

The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will be mentored by Dr. Catherine Davis / Assistant Professor. They will meet regularly to discuss research as well as other aspects of professional development, including but not limited to teaching, mentorship, outreach, service, and career plans. The Postdoctoral Research Scholar would take on a leading role in planning and sampling efforts, thereby gaining experience in project leadership. Dr. Davis will play an active supporting role, advising on the logistics of carrying out proposed research, coordinating analyses, and acting as an engaged collaborator in all relevant scientific aspects of the project. Results from the research will be disseminated widely in an effort led by the Postdoctoral Research Scholar and prepared under the guidance of the mentor.

In addition to this, the Postdoctoral Research Scholar would be encouraged to present results and network at an array of venues, including national and international conferences and in the Department of Marine, Earth, and Environmental Science.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Research Scholar will carry out original research related to understanding how modern and fossil planktic foraminifera and their shells record their environment, which may include but is not limited to trace elemental and stable isotope analyses of shells and/or cytoplasm.

The research would entail manual separation of target species from preserved sediment trap, plankton tow or deep-sea sediment samples. Once a single-species sample is isolated, chemical separation of cytoplasm and shell is carried out by either dissolving the shell (to preserve cytoplasm) or reacting organic matter (to preserve the shell). Following preparation, material would be run on an inductively coupled-, elemental analyzer -, or gas chromatograph – mass spectrometer depending on the type of chemical analyses. The elemental and/or isotope ratio within sample materials is considered relative to standard reference materials and data analysis can subsequently be carried out in a standard statistical software such as R or MATLAB.

In addition to analyses, the Postdoctoral Research Scholar will disseminate results through presentations at meetings, manuscript writing, and may be asked to assist in grant writing and supervision of undergraduate students in the laboratory.

PhD degree in Earth or Ocean Sciences or a closely related field.

N/A

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.