Postdoctoral Associate

Stony Brook University

Stony Brook, NY

ID: 7116300
Posted: November 17, 2022
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Job Description

Required Qualifications: (as evidenced by an attached resume)
Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in Geosciences, Archaeological Sciences or closely related field. Experience in operating luminescence readers and generating, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data. Thorough understanding of luminescence physics and experimental measurement techniques. Must have experience in Infrared-Radiofluorescence (IR-RF) dating. Must have experience working with feldspar-rich samples.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in instrument design and the development of new analytical techniques and methods. Experience in using spectroscopy equipment. Experience in natural sciences and archaeology. Experience in mineralogical and geochemical characterization techniques. Participation in outreach events and activities. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to lead and contribute to high-quality research, including publications and presentations at international conferences. Must be able to work collaboratively as part of an international and multi-disciplinary team. Experience with the operation of basic laboratory instrumentation (centrifuge, fume hood, etc.). Coding skills in Matlab and R.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Postdoctoral Associate will assist the Principal Investigator in the Department of Geosciences. The candidate will conduct research experiments for accurate radiofluoresence dating.

The duties will involve feldspar specimens with a uniform surface, i.e. polished thin slices. Higher resolution X-ray fluorescence (XRF) maps will be generated and the elemental composition of each grain, independent of surface inhomogeneity, will be identified and quantified. A correlation between the XRF and luminescence maps will then provide a better understanding of the link between the IR-RF signal and chemical composition. A similar correlation with XANES spectroscopy maps will reveal the oxidation states of defects in the grains, which are interacting with light and ionizing radiation. In the second step, the advanced level, IR-RF will be collected at the same time as recording XRF maps on a new set of fresh slices. XANES spectra/maps and IR-RF emission/spectra will also be recorded at the same time. Such measurements will necessitate the integration of an EM-CCD/PMT detector and bandpass filters into the already existing beamline setup; integration will be carried out under the guidance of the beamline staff. Such measurements are crucial to relate chemical elements and their oxidation state with the IR-RF signals recorded at the same site and, therefore, to identify the cause of the IR-RF signal sensitivity/shape in feldspars of different geological origin
The candidate will participate/assist in manuscript writing for publication in scientific journals and presentations, develop ideas for generating research income, and prepare grant proposals.
Other duties as assigned, which may include assisting with the supervision of students.
Special Notes:
The Research Foundation of SUNY is a private educational corporation. Employment is subject to the Research Foundation policies and procedures, sponsor guidelines and the availability of funding. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.