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PhD position on ecosystem turnover across Early Eocene hyperthermals

  • //applyindex.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/belgium.png Belgium
  • University/Institute Name KU Leuven
  • Attendance Type On Campus (Full Time)
  • Position Funding Type Research Assistantship (RA)
  • Application deadlineSeptember 30, 2025
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Position Details (PhD Research Project)

The Biogeology & Paleoclimatology Research Group studies the links between environmental and biotic changes during the last 70 million years of Earth’s history. We do this through analyzing marine micro and macrofossils and the sediments containing them, focusing on key time intervals of enhanced faunal turnover, extinction, recovery and diversification in response to disruptions of the geobiosphere. Our emphasis is on retrieving environmental and biotic information from shallow marine sequences, linking deep-sea and continental records of global change. Through this deep-time research we also aim at improving the understanding of the potential consequences of present and future global warming on marine life.
Our young and growing research group works within a broad international network and has a strong focus on multidisciplinary research.
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Project

Early Eocene hyperthermals provide a way to evaluate how severity of biotic changes scales with the magnitude of climate change. Nevertheless, a relation between the magnitude of change and the strength of ecological response during the early Eocene hyperthermals has so far not been constrained for shallow marine ecosystems. The goal of this PhD project is to assess the sensitivity of marine ecosystems in NW Europe to climate change, using the different early Eocene hyperthermals (e.g., ETM2, ETM3) as analogues for different magnitudes of climate change. For this, the PhD student will analyze a selection of drill cores and outcrops from Belgium and the UK, using marine palynology (organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts), stable isotopes and Mg/Ca ratios on benthic foraminifera.
The PhD student that will be hired on this project will work in close collaboration with two other PhD students in our research group.

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  • You hold an MSc degree in Geology or Biology, or a related field, with demonstratable experience in paleontological, paleoecological or paleoclimatological research. 
  • You have a keen interest in in paleoclimate-biosphere interactions, micropaleontology and geochemistry
  • You are proficient in English
  • Earlier experience with organic-walled dinoflagellate cysts or other micropaleontological techniques and fieldwork are a plus

Offer

  • We offer a fully funded PhD scholarship, initially for a duration of 1 year, but extendable to 4 years after positive evaluation. Starting date: preferably by November 1st, 2025, but this can be negotiated. 
  • A full salary, in accordance with KU Leuven’s doctoral salary scale.
  • The candidate also takes up a limited amount of teaching activities
  • KU Leuven offers additional benefits in terms of health insurance, public transport at reduced rates, free bicycle use, access to university sports facilities, childcare opportunities – among others. You can find more information on working conditions at KU Leuven on the below mentioned website.

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences
Division of Geology

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Johan Vellekoop, tel.: +32 16 37 77 80, mail: [email protected].

To apply, submit your application to the KU Leuven online application platform. Please include:
1) Academic CV + pdf of your diploma’s 
2) Letter of motivation
3) At least two references (names, email addresses, phone numbers)

KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.

Research Areas & Fields of Study involved in the position

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