Paleontologist (Postdoc) (m/f/d)

Deutscher Museumsbund e.V.; Karlsruhe; Vor Ort; EUR 58.000 - 68.000; Vollzeit

Benefits dieser Stelle

Flexible hours

Mobile working

Public transport access

Job ticket

Health management

Job bike subsidy

Zusammenfassung

The State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe (SMNK) invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join a dedicated paleontology data digitization project. The role focuses on collecting and interpreting data from Fossil-Lagerstätten and digitizing metadata for public databases.

You will supervise collections staff and students, collaborate with the University of Tübingen and KIT, and help publish a complete geological, palaeontological, and biological dataset.

Qualifikationen

• Experience in vertebrate or invertebrate paleontology and taxonomy.
• Experience with museum collections and Fossil-Lagerstätten fossils.
• Ability to lead and mentor team members and supervise students.

Aufgaben

• Digitize Fossil-Lagerstätten collections at SMNK and prepare data for publication.
• Perform 2D imaging of all specimens and 3D imaging of selected specimens.
• Prepare specimens for thin section manufacturing and geochemical analyses.
• Develop/improve imaging workflows and assist with scientific reports.
• Represent the group at external meetings and collaborate with University partners.

Kenntnisse

PhD in paleontology

Museum collections

Leadership & mentoring

English communication

Project & time management

Independent work

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Data digitization

Ausbildung

PhD in paleontology or related disciplines

Tools

SEM/SEM-EDS

Micro-CT

CT imaging

Jobbeschreibung

Overview of the role: The selected candidate will be a member of a research group with responsibility for carrying out data collection and interpretation of the Fossil-Lagerstätten collections at the State Museum of Natural History Museum Karlsruhe (SMNK). The researcher will work under the direction of Dr. Julien Kimmig as part of a wider team including Dr. Sara Kimmig (University of Tübingen, TERRA Cluster of Excellence). The post holder will co-supervise collections staff and students that will assist them with the tasks. Two students will also be employed at the University Tübingen to assist with geochemical analyses and georeferencing.
Summary: The overarching goal of this project is to collect and digitize all the specimen, label meta, sedimentological, and geochemical data for the Fossil-Lagerstätten specimens in the SMNK paleontology collections. This pilot study will provide a complete geological, paleontological, and biological dataset for these specimens and provide the most complete dataset on Fossil-Lagerstätten known at this time. The collected data will include the species level identification, occurrences, stratigraphic horizons, and chrono- and biostratigraphic ages of constituent species. The project also plans to generate a wide variety of environmental data that will become important metadata for the understanding of depositional environments, climate change, as well as taphonomic studies. The collaborative THRIVED OR DIED? BETTER UNDERSTANDING FOSSIL-LAGERSTÄTTEN THROUGH DIGITIZATION project combines the expertise and infrastructure of the SMNK, the University Tübingen, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. It will revolutionize how Fossil-Lagerstätten museum collections are digitized, creating a multi-proxy approach of field, museum collection, sedimentological, and geochemical data.

The results of this project will be made publicly available through different databases. The post holder will be in charge of preparing the data for publication in these databases.

Experience: The ideal candidate will have training and experience in vertebrate or invertebrate paleontology, taxonomy and systematics, 2D and 3D imaging, a proven publication record, and experience in using updated imaging technology, such as SEM, SEM-EDS, Micro-CT and CT. They will also have experience in presenting research results to both scientific audiences and the general public. They must have demonstrated comfort in working with a collaborative and multi-disciplinary approach to projects and also have experience working in a museum context (e.g., visiting natural history collections, leveraging them for research purposes, and/or working in a natural history museum). They will have demonstrated leadership and teamwork skills and demonstrate strong personal and professional integrity.

• Digitizing the Fossil-Lagerstätten collections at the SMNK
• 2D imaging of all specimens
• 3D imaging of selected specimens
• Preparing specimens for thin section manufacturing
• Preparing specimens for geochemical analyses
• Adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols
• Collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters
• Use specialist scientific equipment in a laboratory environment
• Act as a source of information and advice to other members of the team on scientific protocols and experimental techniques
• Represent the research group at external meetings/seminars, either with other members of the group or alone
• Implement imaging workflows
• Coordinate geochemical and sedimentological analyses

Ihr Profil

• Hold a PhD in paleontology, or related disciplines
• Experience with SEM and SEM-EDS data generation, processing, and interpretation
• Experience in museum collections
• Experience with fossils from Konservat-Lagerstätten
• Ability to contribute ideas for new research projects and research income generation
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings
• Excellent project and time management skills
• Ability to acquire accurate, reproducible data
• Strong interpersonal skills and mentoring skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team
• We offer:
• A competitive salary established by collective agreements, payment will be in EG 13 TV-L
• Contract duration of two years
• Contributing to an engaging mission as well as an exciting project and challenge
• Contribution to a DFG-funded project
• An inclusive, friendly and safe work environment
• The opportunity to work at a nationally renowned research museum with recognized collections and an attractive exhibitions
• A workplace in the center of Karlsruhe, with excellent public transport connections
• Collaboration with the University Tübingen and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
• Flexible work time and family-friendly working hours (39.5 h/week); possibility of mobile working (1 day/week)
• Participation in company health management, job ticket and job bike subsidized by the state of Baden-Württemberg

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Dr. Julien Kimmig via E-Mail: [e-mail].

Please note that the application documents will be forwarded to the persons involved in the recruitment process. Unfortunately, costs associated with interviews cannot be covered or reimbursed.
Further information on the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe can also be found on the Internet at www.smnk.de