The University of Oulu is one of the largest multidisciplinary universities in Finland, with approximately 14 000 students and 3 000 employees. The strengths of the University are modern research and study environment and close cooperation with international research institutes, companies and the public sector. The University of Oulu Graduate School provides the framework for high-quality, research-driven doctoral education at the University of Oulu, and training will take place within its multidisciplinary doctoral programmes.

The following position is open in the University of Oulu:

Doctoral Student in a research project: Heavy mineral fingerprinting techniques using advanced analysis and identification techniques, Oulu Mining School

We are seeking for talented and motivated student for three years to a Doctoral Student position in the field of geosciences solving research questions related to the heavy mineral identification techniques and the analysis of sulphide minerals in relation to ore deposit characterization in Europe. Identification of indicator minerals in separated fractions of unconsolidated sediment or soil samples is especially used in exploration for diamond and gold, but fingerprinting and isotopic methods of certain minerals can be used in tracing and determination of different host mineralization or ore deposits.

The research will be carried out as part of the EIT Raw Materials funded project MinExTarget (Enhanced Use of Heavy Mineral Chemistry in Exploration Targeting) coordinated by the Geological Survey of Finland - GTK, where the OMS’ work package is led by Professor Pertti Sarala, Oulu Mining School, Geosciences Research Group, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, Finland.

Position description

Doctoral student will be using routine mineralogical and indicator heavy mineral separation methods and advanced automated mineral identification methods (MLA and FE-SEM+EDS), wavelength-dispersive electron-microprobe (EPMA) for precise determination of major element composition of minerals, and trace element and isotope geochemical analyses of selected heavy minerals by the automated single collector and quadruple LA-ICP-MS on prepared samples. The research group in which a doctoral student will be joining owns expertise of surface mineral exploration and mineralogical research of various ore types as well as geochemical, mineralogical and isotopic analysis techniques. The international research group of about 10 people is well balanced with professors, researchers and technicians as well as postdoctoral researchers and MSc students. International collaboration will open excellent opportunities for a young scientist to develop their skills and advance her/his career. The use of laboratory facilities of the OMS research centre, the Centre for Microscopy and Nanotechnology in Oulu and the Finnish Geoscience Laboratory in Espoo. The position is to be supervised by professors Pertti Sarala and Ferenc Molnar (GTK).

Requirements for a doctoral student

To successfully occupy the position of a Doctoral Student, the candidate must possess a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree preferably in the fields of geology or geosciences. Degree must have been completed with good grades by 1.3.2020 (or latest before the job contract starts). This position requires good cooperation and overall communication skills, fluent written and oral English language, and readiness to self-acting work. You will be located in Finland at Oulu, but the task requires readiness to domestic and international travelling to laboratories, conferences etc. Teaching and supervision responsibilities can be expected as part of the PhD education.

Salary

The salary of the selected doctoral student will be set on levels 2 – 4 of the national salary scale for the teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a supplementary remuneration will be given for personal achievement and performance (max. 50 %). The salary is thus in practice roughly 2,300 – 3,300 € per month, depending on the appointee’s qualification and experience.

The position is filled as of May 4th, 2020 or later. A trial period of 6 months is applied in the position.

Application

Applications, together with the relevant enclosures, should be submitted online by April 13th, 2019 at 23:59 (Finnish local time).

The following documents as four separate pdf files (max. size limit for each file is 2 Mbytes) must be attached to the application:

1. A curriculum vitae according to the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Entegrity (https://www.tenk.fi/en/template-researchers-curriculum-vitae) containing contact information of at least two referees.
2. A list of possible scientific contributions (publications, talks, posters etc.).
3. Motivation letter (maximum 1 page) describing prior knowledge and research interests and career plans.
4. Certificates: Scanned electronic copies of master’s degree certificate or diplomas. If the original documents are not in English, Finnish or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish.

Contact

Professor Pertti Sarala via e-mail pertti.sarala (at) oulu.fi