Scientific Researcher (m/f/d) “Ai-assisted analysis of ice core impurity images” (m/f/d)
- Employer
- Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
- Location
- Bremerhaven
- Closing date
- 17 Aug 2024
View more
- Discipline
- Earth Science
- Job Type
- Research Assistant
- Employment - Hours
- Full time
- Duration
- Fixed term
- Qualification
- Masters
- Sector
- Academia
Job Details
Scientific support staff
Job description:Scientific Researcher (m/f/d) “Ai-assisted analysis of ice core impurity images” (m/f/d)
Background
Current efforts to recover an ice core reaching back 1.5 Ma (Beyond Epica - Oldest Ice Core) will provide unique insights into the Mid-Pleistocene transition, likely archived in the deepest and highly thinned layers. The chemical impurities in ice offer an important set of paleoclimate proxies for this purpose. However, post-depositional processes are known to affect and ultimately corrupt the original layer signals in deep ice. To succeed with BE-OIC, we must master the challenge to retrieve paleoclimate signals from ice impurity data obtained in the deep ice. This is one of the main goals of the ERC project AiCE. In this project, we aim to combine high-resolution 2D-elemental maps (obtained with Laser Ablation ICP-MS) with Ai-assisted image analysis to improve our understanding of how impurity-related climate signals are preserved in ice cores.
You will conduct method development for Ai-assisted image analysis based on Laser Ablation ICP-MS measurements of ice cores. Special tasks are the development of a model 3D representation of the ice core chemistry from the micro-scale to the scale of bulk meltwater analysis. Further, an Ai-based algorithm is developed to semi-automatically detect post-depositional changes in the ice core impurity images. More LA-ICP-MS ice core datasets are generated along the way, especially concerning the analysis of the upcoming BE-OI ice core.
Combined, these results will crucially improve our understanding of the behavior of impurities in deep ice and our ability to use them as robust climate records in the Beyond EPICA Oldest Ice Core, and elsewhere.
Tasks
- Method development in Ai-assisted image analysis of data generated by ice core analysis with LA-ICP-MS
- Development of a 3D model representation of ice core chemistry, aimed at an improved comparison of LA-ICP-MS with meltwater data and the exploration of post-depositional change
- Development of an Ai-based algorithm to semi-automatically detect post-depositional changes manifested in the LA-ICP-MS impurity images
- Assist with LA-ICP-MS ice core analysis of the BE-OI ice core and other relevant samples
- Assist with supervision of PhD students
- Publication of results in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Presentation of results at international scientific conferences
Requirements
- MSc in Geosciences, Chemistry, Physics or similar
- Demonstrated experience in ice core analysis with laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)
- Demonstrated experience in analysis of ice core impurity images generated by LA-ICP-MS using Ai-assisted techniques and computer vision
- Skill in programming with Python or similar
- Expertise in paleoclimate significance of impurity records obtained from polar ice cores
- Experience in publishing scientific articles in recognized peer-reviewed journals
- Fluency in English
Further Information
The AWI is characterized by
The AWI is characterized by
- our scientific success - excellent research
- collaboration and cooperation - intra-institute, national and international, interdisciplinary
- opportunities to develop – on the job and towards other positions
- an international environment – everyday contact with people from all over the world
- flexible working hours
- health promotion and company fitness
- support services and a culture of reconciling work and family
- occupational pension provision (VBL)
AWI values diversity and actively promotes gender parity, as well as an open, inclusive environment that provides equal opportunities. We are convinced that diverse teams and a variety of perspectives enrich our work and our daily collaboration. In a continuous process of learning and reflection, we aim to ensure that all our employees can be themselves and feel a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from qualified people regardless of binary and non-binary genders, race and nationality, ethnic and social background, religion, age, physical abilities, neurodivergence, sexual orientation, and other identities.
Applicants with disabilities will be given preference when equal qualifications are present.
AWI fosters work-family compatibility in various ways and has received several awards as a result of this commitment. And as a new international member of our team, you can be sure that we will help you settle in. Our Family Office and International Office will be glad to support you, even before you start at AWI.
This research center is part of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. With more than 42,000 employees and an annual budget of over € 5 billion, the Helmholtz Association is Germany's largest scientific organisation.
Company
The Helmholtz Association contributes to solving major challenges to assure the future of our society. With more than 39,000 people on staff in 18 national research centres, the Helmholtz Association is Germany’s largest scientific organization. The name Helmholtz stands for concerted research in which networks form the key principle behind inquiring thought and action. Concerted research is efficient and flexible.
The profile of the Helmholtz Association
The Helmholtz Association performs cutting-edge research which contributes substantially to solving the grand challenges of science, society and industry. To succeed in meeting these responsibilities, Helmholtz concentrates its work in six research fields: Energy, Earth and Environment, Health, Key Technologies, Matter, as well as Aeronautics, Space and Transport. Within each of these fields, research programs are developed by our scientists and regularly evaluated by renowned international experts. Their evaluation forms the basis for the programme-oriented funding that is allocated to Helmholtz research. Within the six research fields, Helmholtz scientists cooperate with each other and with external partners – working across disciplinary, organizational and national borders.
Promoting young academics
Helmholtz scientists, a high-performance infrastructure and modern and efficient research management are the ingredients to the Helmholtz Association‘s success and global impact.
Promoting young researchers is a major priority for the Helmholtz Association. Its qualification schemes for young researchers are geared mainly towards PhD students, postdocs and young managers. The Helmholtz Association has set high standards for its talent management. Its strategy begins with targeted recruitment of highly qualified staff at all levels, followed by comprehensive support aimed at further developing their potential. Ensuring equal opportunities is an essential element in all talent management activities undertaken by the Helmholtz Association.
The Helmholtz Graduate Schools and Research Schools at almost all Helmholtz Centres provide doctoral students with the general and specific skills and training they need, as well as ample opportunity to network with other working groups. The period following a doctorate is decisive in determining the direction and success of a scientific career. For this reason, we are about to establish Career Centers for postdoctoral researchers in the Helmholtz centres and a mentoring programme for especially gifted PostDocs in order to foster career orientation. This equips young researchers with the skills they need to go on to head a Helmholtz Young Investigators Group, for example. As a Young Investigator Group leader, junior scientists can independently set up their own group to conduct research in their specialist field.
Within its talent management strategy, the Helmholtz Association pays special attention to the increased recruitment of talented female scientists both from Germany and abroad. To this end, there are currently two funding programs supporting this policy ‘Funding of first-time appointments of excellent women scientists (W2/W3)’ and ‘Funding to recruit top-level international women scientists (W3)’.
The increasing complexity of the content, structures and framework conditions of scientific work today requires researchers to organise their projects, their employees and, of course, themselves in a highly professional and effective way. In response to these demands, we have set up the Helmholtz Management Academy to provide junior leaders in science with professional management training. Furthermore, the Helmholtz network provides a platform for the alumni of the Helmholtz Management Academy and Mentoring programme to come together and share their experiences of leadership, career development and lifelong learning.
- Location
-
Berlin
Berlin
10178
DE
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