Missions

The hired post-doctoral researcher will analyze new and traditional (hydrothermal quartz, barites etc.) paleo-atmospheric proxies via noble gas and noble gas-nitrogen static mass spectrometry. The main goal of the project is to identify new geological areas as well as new minerals to build a detailed picture of the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere from Archean to present. The post-doctoral researcher will also have access to the noble gas analytical platform to conduct his own research projects if the scientific scope is compatible with the ERC ATTRACTE (modulo machine time). This position is funded by the ERC Starting Grant ATTRACTE project (2023-2028, PI: G. Avice).

Activités

- Mineral separation (crushing, sieving)
- Chemical purification by acid digestion (optional)
- Assembling and testing of vacuum experiments
- Noble gas static mass spectrometry (crushing, laser, furnace)
- Nitrogen static mass spectrometry
- Geochemical box modelling
- Writing scientific papers

Compétences

- Training in mass spectrometry required.
- Specific in noble gas mass spectrometry would be a major strength. Candidates with training on stable isotope mass spectrometry and purification techniques are also encouraged to apply.
- Professional qualities: rigor, autonomy, communication (in English), teaching skills (e.g., for students in the lab)

- PhD in planetary sciences
- No previous postdoc experience required but solid experience in mass spectrometry is required.

Contexte de travail

A world-renowned geosciences organisation, the IPGP is associated with the CNRS and an integrated institute of the Université Paris Cité. Bringing together more than 500 people, the IPGP studies the Earth and the planets from the core to the most superficial fluid envelopes, through observation, experimentation and modelling.
The research aeras are structured through 4 main unifying themes: Interiors of the Earth and Planets, Natural Hazards, Earth System and Origins.
The IPGP is in charge of labelled observation services in volcanology, seismology, magnetism, gravimetry and erosion. And the IPGP's permanent observatories monitor the four active French overseas volcanoes in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Réunion Island and Mayotte.
The IPGP hosts powerful computing resources and state-of-the-art experimental and analytical facilities and benefits from first-class technical support. The IPGP provides its students with geosciences training that combine observation, quantitative analysis and modelling, and that reflects the quality, richness and thematic diversity of the research conducted by the IPGP teams.
This job offer is attached to the european project ATTRACTE (PI: G. Avice) funded by the European Research Council (https://www.ipgp.fr/la-recherche/projets-de-recherche/erc-attracte/). The goal of the project is to follow Earth's evolution over billions of years by analysing samples containing traces of paleo-atmosphere.

The noble gas analytical platform is currently equipped with two Noblesse noble gas mass spectrometer (NuInstruments, multi-collection 1F3M version and 3F6M new version installed in 2023), associated purification lines and diverse extraction systems (crushers, lasers, furnaces).

- Website page of the CAGE team : https://www.ipgp.fr/en/research/teams/cage/
- Website of the PI : https://aviceg.wordpress.com/

Contraintes et risques

- Regular work schedule with possibly some night activities when required by the experiment (very rare).
- Remote working impossible during analytical sessions and discouraged the remaining of the time.
- Trips abroad (conference, science meetings) will be funded by the ERC ATTRACTE to present results from the project. At least 1 conference per year.