Post Doc Position; ULB, CRPG, AWI): La-Icpms Perspective basal ice of Greenland ice

Department of Geosciences, Environment and Society

Organisation/Company Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) Department Department of Geosciences, Environment and Society Research Field Geosciences » Other Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Physics » Chemical physics Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Final date to receive applications 6 Apr 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Brussels) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to investigate the distribution and behavior of inorganic elements and impurities in basal ice of the Greenland Ice Sheet, using state-of-the-art laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and complementary methods. The position offers a unique opportunity to work on exceptional ice-core material and to contribute to fundamental questions on ice–bed interactions and basal ice formation.

Project description and aim

Basal ice layers preserve invaluable records of debris entrainment, physicochemical processes, and interactions between ice sheets and their beds. Recent advances in LA-ICP-MS now enable the spatially resolved analysis of major and trace elements at the scale of individual ice crystals and grain boundaries. This postdoctoral project aims to leverage these developments to better constrain the origin, structure, and evolution of basal ice beneath the Greenland Ice Sheet.

By combining high-resolution chemical mapping with detailed microstructural analyses—encompassing crystal shape and orientation, as well as bubble size and distribution—across basal ice sections with contrasting facies, the project will address several key open questions. These include the nature and sources of debris in basal ice and the mechanisms governing their incorporation, as well as the distribution and impact of impurities within basal ice and how this differs from that in overlying debris-free meteoric ice.

Cross calibration experiments using bulk analysis of samples (or synthetic standards) with ICPOES/MS will permit to constrain the matrix effect that could affect the LA-ICP-MS mapping. Lab experiments might possibly be undertaken to document the kinetic and the mechanisms of the impurities migrations.

The project will involve close collaboration with Dr. Pascal Bohleber and Dr. Nicolas Stoll and includes extended research stays at the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (Germany). For informal inquiries about the project or the position, please contact François Fripiat at  , or Pierre-Henri Blard at (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). .

What are we looking for?

We are looking for an enthusiastic, motivated, and autonomous researcher with:

• A PhD in glaciology, geochemistry, physics, Earth sciences, or a closely related field
• Strong interest in ice-core science and basal ice processes
• Expertise in ice-core physics and/or chemistry
• Expertise in LA-ICP-MS or closely related micro-analytical techniques
• Expertise in programming and image analysis tools
• Good communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Willingness to be mobile and to undertake extended research stays at partner institutions abroad

What do we offer?

A fully funded 2-year postdoctoral position jointly hosted by the Université libre de Bruxelles (Brussels, Belgium) and the Université de Lorraine (Nancy, France). The position is funded for two years, with one year of salary supported by Brussels and one year supported by Nancy. The successful candidate will receive a competitive salary with full social benefits according to the regulations of the host institution for each funded year.

The project offers access to world‑class analytical facilities and unique ice-core samples, within a stimulating international research environment and a strong collaborative network. The starting date is flexible, with…