INDEX

	Job announcements



	research scientist
	Topic: Compaction, strength reduction, and stress estimates in shocked porous sandstones Project leaders: Thomas Kenkmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MFN) and Georg Dresen, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ) Prerequisites: Diploma or master’s degree in geosciences, geophysics, or material science. We are seeking candidates with a strong background in rock mechanics and structural geology. Description: This MEMIN project is devoted to better understanding deformation processes and structural changes in porous sandstones in impact craters. The investigations comprise the determination of strength properties of target rocks prior to and after shock loading to infer the degree of strength reduction upon impact cratering. We will investigate different modes of compaction and compare the results with compactive brittle deformation features formed in quasi-static loading tests. The state of damaging of impact-deformed rocks will be quantified by determination of fragment sizes as well as the densities of micro-cracks and defects. The research scientist will work at the MFN as well as at the GFZ. He/She will use the facilities of the rock mechanics lab of the GFZ and is in charge of quasi-static compaction tests with a MTS loading frame including the acoustic emission recording and sample preparation. The research scientist will perform comparative microstructural analyses of shock and quasi-statically deformed rocks using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy at the MFN. It is expected that the successful candidate will actively contribute at conferences and with publications. The position is suited to conduct a Ph.D thesis. Salary: Salary according to BAT IIa-O (half time contract) or comparable after tariff adjustment for 18 months at MFN followed by 18 months at GFZ according to EG 13 TVöD-O (half time contract) subject to the approval by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Place of work: MFN and GFZ. MEMIN aims to increase the number of female employees, thus women are strongly encouraged to apply. MEMIN also aims to integrate persons with disabilities. Applications with the reference number 20/2009 including curriculum vitae and credentials should be sent to Herr Hackmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. For inquiries please contact thomas.kenkmann@mfn-berlin.de or dre@gfz-potsdam.de. Application documents will not be returned to the applicant. Please apply only with copies or duplicates of official documents.
	student research assistant
	Topic: Compaction, strength reduction, and stress estimates in shocked porous sandstones Project leaders: Thomas Kenkmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MFN) and Georg Dresen, GeoForschungsZentrum Potsdam (GFZ) Prerequisites: Student of geosciences, geophysics, or material science. We are seeking candidates with interests in rock mechanics and structural geology. Description: The student research assistant should assist in the project during time-consuming routine investigations. The following duties include: Assisting the preparation of thin sections in the preparation laboratory Routine optical microscopy and SEM imaging Mapping the experimentally generated crater floor Image analysis of grain size and pore space with Q-Win There are opportunities to carry out a Bachelor, Master, or Diploma thesis in the framework of the project. Salary: Salary according to VIII BAT-O; 20h working time per month for one year with the option of an extension. Place of work is MFN. MEMIN aims to increase the number of female employees, thus women are strongly encouraged to apply. MEMIN also aims to integrate persons with disabilities. Applications with the reference number 15/2009 including curriculum vitae and credentials should be sent to Herr Hackmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany by August 20, 2009. For inquiries please contact thomas.kenkmann@mfn-berlin.de Application documents will not be returned to the applicant. Please apply only with copies or duplicates of official documents.

	research scientist
	Topic: Numerical modeling of impact processes Projektleiter: Kai Wünnemann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MFN) and Stefan Hiermaier, Ernst Mach Institut (EMI) Prerequisites: Diploma or master in geoscience or physics; prior knowledge in modeling of geodynamic processes; basics in continuum/rock mechanics, thermo- and fluiddynamics; Experiences in programming (preferentially fortran) and usage of Unix/Linux operating systems; grounding in the development of parallel algorithms (MPI) for use on PC-clusters are advantageous. Willingness to work in an interdisciplinary working environment will be expected. Description: Scientific services in the framework of the DFG Research Unit "MEMIN - Multidisciplinary Experimental and Modeling Impact Research Network". The applicant will use and further develop existing models to simulate meteorite impact processes and laboratory impact experiments. In particular models of material behavior under extreme thermodynamic and mechanical load are supposed to be developed. The study of the effect of porosity and water saturation as well as brittle fracturing on the crater formation process will be especially emphasized. The cratering experiments in sandstone in the framework of the research unit provide important data that can be used for validation of numerical models. The scientific work is suited to conduct a PhD thesis. Salary: Salary according to BAT IIa-O (half time contract) for 36 months at MFN. MEMIN aims to increase the number of female employees, thus women are strongly encouraged to apply. MEMIN also aims to integrate persons with disabilities. Applications with the reference number 16/2009 including curriculum vitae, documents and references should be sent to Herrn Hackmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. For inquiries please contact Kai.Wuennemann@mfn-berlin.de Application documents will not be returned to the applicant. Please apply only with copies or duplicates of official documents.

	research scientist B
	Topic: Crater structure and excavation: the effects of water, porosity, and target layering Project leaders: Thomas Kenkmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin (MFN), Alexander Deutsch, Institut für Planetologie, Westfälische Wilhelms Universität Münster (WWU) and Klaus Thoma, Fraunhofer Institut für Kurzzeitdynamik - Ernst-Mach-Institut (EMI) Prerequisites: Diploma or master’s degree in physics, geosciences, or engineering. We are seeking candidates with a strong background in shock wave physics, high speed recording technology and engineering. Description: This project is aimed at experimental quantification of the effects of porosity, pore water, and impact velocity on crater formation in sedimentary target rocks. We will monitor and analyze the dynamics of crater growth and ejecta flow, determine crater morphometry and cratering efficiency as a function of these parameters, investigate shock metamorphism of the ejecta and map shear zones in the crater floor. The obtained data will provide a reference scheme for the numerical simulations of the experiment. Research Scientist B is responsible for the analysis of the ejecta process. This comprises the construction of ejecta catchers, installation and calibration of the laser-video setup, and the recovery of the ejecta. Furthermore, it includes the analysis of the high-speed camera images and the reconstruction of particle trajectories of the ejecta cone as a function of the chosen parameters of the experiments. It is expected that the successful candidate will actively contribute at conferences and in publications. The successful candidate will work at MFN Berlin, WWU-Münster and EMI-Freiburg. The position is suited to conduct a Ph.D thesis. Salary: Salary according to BAT IIa-O (half time contract) or comparable after tariff adjustment for 18 months at MFN followed by 18 months at WWU according to EG 13 TV-L (half time contract), subject to the approval by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Place of work: MFN and WWU. MEMIN aims to increase the number of female employees, thus women are strongly encouraged to apply. MEMIN also aims to integrate persons with disabilities. Applications with the reference number 21/2009 including curriculum vitae, documents and references should be sent to Herrn Hackmann, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Invalidenstrasse 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany. For inquiries please contact thomas.kenkmann@mfn-berlin.de or deutsca@uni-muenster.de. Application documents will not be returned to the applicant. Please apply only with copies or duplicates of official documents.
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