PhD scholarship in Optically Stimulated Luminescence Dating - DTU Physics

The Luminescence Physics and Technology section of DTU Physics is seeking a candidate for a PhD position for our part in the international and cross-disciplinary ERC Synergy project: Green2Ice. The main aim of our part of Green2Ice is to determine when Greenland was last ice free.

Responsibilities and qualifications

Determining when the Greenland Ice sheet (GrIS) began to develop is an important input for climate models predicting the future evolution of the ice sheet, its mass loss and contribution to sea level rise. Here, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) will be used to date basal ice using both sand grains of feldspar entrained by the ice, and feldspar grains extracted from basal sediments drilled from below the GrIS over the past 55 years. We will, for the first time, have access to samples retrieved and stored under dark-room conditions suitable for OSL dating. The advantage of using suspended grains in the basal ice compared to overridden surficial terrestrial sediments is that the external dose rate from the surrounding medium is very small and thus the dose rate arises almost entirely from the radionuclides internal to the grain. This enables a significant extension of the OSL datable range, to >1.5 Ma, provided that internal dose rates on a grain-by-grain basis can be determined accurately. Establishing luminescence characteristics and the correlation between OSL dose and dose rate on a single-grain scale for different types of feldspar is key to the success of the approach. 

Your research tasks will include:

• Establishing a robust protocol for measuring the dose recorded by single grains of feldspar for a variety of samples and grain sizes
• Determining internal dose rates in single grains of feldspar using µ-XRF and LA-ICP-MS methods and correlating these with measured doses for a variety of samples and grain sizes
• Using luminescence characteristics (e.g. thermal stability and luminescence sensitivity) to differentiate between individual grains of different types of feldspar. 
• Determining the time of formation of the GrIS at different geographical locations using samples from different Ice cores  

The successful candidate is motivated, meticulous, independent, hardworking and a team player. As a formal qualification, you must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree in physics, chemistry, geoscience or similar. Candidates with previous experience in luminescence dating using OSL will be preferred.

Approval and Enrolment

The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education

.

We offer

DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility. The successful candidate will work in an environment with activities and expertise in a wide range of fields related to ionizing radiation, including radiation physics and dosimetry.

Salary and appointment terms 

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date 1 May 2024 (or by mutual agreement).

You can read more about career paths at DTU here

.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from Senior Researcher Kristina Jørkov Thomsen, DTU Physics, krthdtu.dk

, +45 4677 4925.

You can read more about DTU Physics at www.fysik.dtu.dk/english. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark

. Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar

” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 

Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 17 March 2024 (23:59 Danish time)

. Applications must be submitted as one PDF file

containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file

. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale
• List of publications

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

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At DTU Physics, we perform research in fundamental and applied physics areas, and we use and develop state-of-the-art experimental and theoretical approaches. We have a broad effort in materials physics and design, catalysis, quantum optics, sensing and communication, biophysics, plasma physics, continuum physics, and radiation physics. Our research impacts society with new sustainable energy technologies, secure digital communication, medical technology, and new analytical methods. We use and develop basic theory, next-generation instrumentation, and software, and aim to make our data publicly accessible and usable.

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