Successful candidates are expected to have a background in geology, marine biology or ocean chemistry with an interest in biogeochemistry and climate change. Previous research experience with foraminifera will be a plus. We are looking for a candidate who knows how to work both in a team and independently, and he/she is willing to test him/herself with pioneering and transdisciplinary researches.

The Stratigraphy Sedimentology and Paleocology laboratory at the Polytechnic University of Marche (UNIVPM - Department of Life and Environmental Science - DISVA), is the laboratory where the project will be developed. The research activities are focused on the study of sediments and their textural and (paleo) ecological content. The Research Team is young and dynamic and it is devoted to the study of foraminifera to understand the ongoing changes either due to anthropogenic or natural changes. In addition, the functioning mechanism behind biomineralization (and the molecules involved) is basic to understanding the biomineralization process from a geochemical perspective. In fact, it is possible to record environmental and climate changes from the shell isotopic and trace element compositions. Coupling geochemical and biological perspectives will enhance the interpretation of the proxies used for climatic reconstructions and improve future modelling efforts. The Research Team collaborates with chemists of the same University working on the cellular effect of natural and synthetic bioactive molecules; it is active, also, a collaboration with physical oceanographers experts on quantitative methods in marine science. The UNIVPM offers the possibility to use the Actea Mobile Laboratory to collect sediment and water samples and hosts the ""Aquarium"" Laboratory representing a unique infrastructure at the National level that could accommodate the experimental culture area for foraminifera. Recently, thanks to the Italian Excellence Department Projects, the DISVA of UNIVPM has developed a well-advanced technical platform fully equipped for chemical analyses of all classes of environmental pollutants and ecotoxicological analyses.