Full time position (50% Tenure track professorship and 50% Scientific researcher SW2 – work leader): Micropaleontology of Paleogene marine shelves and correlation with the terrestrial domain
The Science and Technology Group, Faculty of Science, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Geology at KU Leuven and the Operational Directorate Earth and History of life, Research Programme Paleobiosphere Evolution of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) jointly offer a full-time position (Prf-2020-038_MicroPAST Micropaleontology of PAleogene marine Shelves and correlation with the Terrestrial domain) (each with an appointment of 50 %) in the context of the BELSPO FED-tWIN programme, a programme of sustainable research cooperation between the Belgian federal scientific institutes and universities. The 50% appointment at KU Leuven is a tenure track professorship. The 50% appointment at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences is a contract of indefinite duration of at least 10 years as a work leader (salary scale SW2). Candidates are sought in the field of marine micropaleontology with an emphasis on Paleogene continental shelf records. We are looking for candidates with an excellent research record and educational competence in paleontology and the broader field of geology.
Research
- You will develop research at an international level in the micropaleontology of continental margins within the framework of a FED-tWIN collaboration between KU Leuven and the RBINS. The programme of this FED-tWIN profile aims at unraveling the evolution of regional ecosystems, with an emphasis on overall evolutionary patterns in marine microbiota and terrestrial vertebrates. The focus of this research profile is on the generation of paleoclimate proxy data and unravelling paleobiosphere developments through stratigraphic integration of marine, coastal and terrestrial sequences along continental margins during the Paleogene. A key issue to resolve is whether changes in vertebrate associations are tightly correlated and linked to climate evolution as recorded in the marine sedimentary record.
- You have a broad knowledge of paleontology and geology, and have specific expertise in the field of Paleogene marine micropaleontology, stratigraphy, paleoenvironmental reconstruction based on quantitative biotic studies and geochemical applications. With this expertise you will develop collaborations within the global Paleogene community.
- You will develop your own research group in an international framework in synergy with research groups at KU Leuven and at the RBINS. This FED-tWIN research profile specifically aims at developing a strong scientific collaboration between KU Leuven and the RBINS.
- You will publish at the highest scientific level, are able to obtain competitive financing, and will supervise PhD students.
Education
- You provide high-quality education within the Bachelor and Master in Geology programmes at KU Leuven, with a clear commitment to the quality of education as a whole.
- You also contribute to the pedagogical project of the faculty and university by supervising master theses and as a promoter of doctoral students.
- You develop your educational project in accordance with the vision of KU Leuven on activating and research-based education and you make use of the opportunities for educational professionalization that the faculty and the university offer.
Service
- You participate to the RBINS missions, which are to foster, among the public at large and the scientific community, the understanding of and interest in the natural sciences and, through partnerships, to contribute substantially to its sustainable development. Thus, the core endeavours of this natural sciences-oriented institution consist of acquiring and managing collections, conducting scientific research, implementing the results of this research, disseminating knowledge, and participating in the mounting of exhibitions.
- Service provision is therefore an important aspect within this FED-tWIN profile and will include science education and communication initiatives on the topics: identification of fossils, dating of geological layers with fossil markers, paleoenvironmental reconstruction, paleo(bio)geographical modelling, paleoclimatic interpretation, .... The RBINS offers a strong network in combination with new infrastructure to excel in scientific education and communication for primary and secondary schools, training courses, international internships and scientific visitors.
- Through outreach activities, the FED-tWIN researcher will disseminate future research results to the scientific community, policy-makers and the general public. As such scientific data derived from the geology and paleontology of Belgium can provide educational value on Earth’s history and new stratigraphic data can be transferred to national organizations (NIRAS/ONDRAF, DOV, National Commission on Stratigraphy …).
Profile
- You have a PhD in geology, with a particular focus on paleontology, paleoecology, stratigraphy, obtained no more than 12 years before the end date of the period in which you can apply for this vacancy. The 12-year period is extended by one year for each maternity, parental and adoption leave and for each long-term sick leave of yourself or your immediate family.
- You have a strong research curriculum within the domain of paleontology and geology, marine micropaleontology and stratigraphy of Paleogene continental margin sequences, and demonstrable contributions regarding services. Your research quality is apparent from publications in leading international journals.
- Experience with geochemical proxies in paleoclimate research and international research experience are an important plus.
- You must be capable of correlating sedimentary sequences by means of integrated stratigraphy (field analysis, biostratigraphy, chemostratigraphy, lithostratigraphy...) and preferably have skills in collection and database management, imaging (e.g. SEM, micro CT, stereomicroscopy...) and outreach.
- You have demonstrable qualities for academic education and teaching experience is a plus.
- You are collegial and have organizational skills and preferably also managerial capacities in a university context.
- Proficiency in English is required. KU Leuven offers courses in academic English.
- The official administrative language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in administrative meetings. Before teaching courses in Dutch, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch to the required standard.
Offer
Within the FED-tWIN framework, KU Leuven offers a 50% appointment as a tenure track professor in combination with an appointment as a 50% contractual researcher (salary scale SW2; indefinite duration) for at least 10 years at the RBINS.
KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It has a strong inter- and multidisciplinary focus and strives for international excellence. KU Leuven actively cooperates with its research partners at home and abroad. It offers her students an academic education based on high-level scientific research.
The appointment of the researcher at KU Leuven is on a tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, (s)he is permanently appointed and promoted to associate professor.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome appointed foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration and administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, …
To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a starting grant of 100.000 euro is offered to new professors without substantial other funding, appointed for at least 50%.
RBINS offers a full reimbursement of public transport for commuting, or a bicycle allowance if you commute by bike. The researcher will work in a dynamic, challenging, varied and stimulating research environment in a historical Art Nouveau building located in the heart of Brussels, just next to the European parliament.
Place of employment:
KU Leuven, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Celestijnenlaan 200E, 3001 Leuven
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Operational Directorate Earth and History of life, Vautierstraat 29, 1000 Brussels
Interested?
- your biosketch in which you indicate your added value as an academic for research, education and service to society of your past career and of your future activities (maximum 2 pages);
- a file on your five most important publications or realizations;
- an extensive cv including a full publication list;
- your research plan with focus on the development of your research line and research team in relation with the colleague-researchers of the entity of employment (maximum 4 pages);
- your vision on academic education and its organization (maximum 2 pages);
- your contribution to society by outreach and public communication on science and technology, internal representation in boards and councils and service activities directly in relation to your developed expertise (maximum 1 page);
- your vision on leadership (maximum 1 page).