Substitute as Research Assistant at the National Microprobe Laboratory

The Department of Earth Sciences is Sweden's most comprehensive academic environment for research and education in geoscience. It offers a broad range of expertise that can contribute to solving important societal issues.

Earth is a dynamic and constantly changing planet. To understand how this planet works, our researchers seek answers in the field, through laboratory experiments and advanced models. Our research and education cover a wide range of disciplines, including rocks and minerals, weather and climate, the evolution of life, natural disasters, wind power and energy, environmental and water engineering, and sustainable development.

Our research combines natural sciences and technology with social sciences and is often interdisciplinary. More than 300 people from over 30 countries work at the department, both in Uppsala and at Campus Gotland.

Our six research divisions:

• Geophysics • Air, Water and Landscape Science • Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics

• Natural Resources and Sustainable Development • Palaeobiology • Wind Energy

For more information see: https://www.uu.se/en/department/earth-sciences

Research and education at the Program of Mineralogy, Petrology and Tectonics, Department of Earth Sciences, is carried out within three integrated fields: mineralogy, petrology and tectonics. The Program operates a Field Emission Electron Probe Microanalyzer (JXA-8530F JEOL HYPERPROBE), equipped with five crystal spectrometers (WDS), secondary (SE) and backscattered electron detectors (BSE). The instrument performs quantitative chemical analyses on a micrometer scale and imaging of minerals or materials down to a nanometer scale. Quantitative elemental analyses are possible in the range from beryllium to uranium.

Duties

The substitute will be mainly responsible for FE-EPMA operation and maintenance, and management of the laboratory in general. Besides routine operation and customer service, main duties will also include maintaining, development and implementation of new micro-analytical procedures, such as in-situ chemical dating, geothermobarometry based on trace elements, and light and volatile elements analysis (dependent on the demand). The duties will also include assisting students using EMPA and training duties related to the role focus.

Requirements

Master degree in Mineralogy and/or Petrology. Experience with the electron microprobe as well as traditional electron microscopy is mandatory. The applicant must also have a background in other electron micro-beam techniques such as SEM-EDS-EBSD and parallel techniques: Raman spectroscopy and practical understanding of Mass Spectrometry methods (e.g. LA-ICP-MS).

Additional qualifications

Direct experience with JEOL EPMA instruments (and specifically JXA-8530F Field Emission EPMA) is highly desirable as well. Experience with preparation of EPMA datasets for thermodynamic modelling and geochronology is highly desirable. It is desirable that the candidate have a well-documented understanding of modern mineralogy and petrology, and could demonstrate ability for networking with colleagues and maintain close contact and cooperation with other institutions/laboratories worldwide. Documented knowledge of Swedish bedrock geology and experience with training are beneficial.

The ranking of applicants will be based in equal proportions on the scientific proficiency, technical skills, and experience regarding the instrumentation.

About the employment

The employment is a temporary position, until 14th of March 2027. Scope of employment 80 %. Starting date October 1 2026, or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Prof. Jaroslaw Majka, 018 - 471 2551, jaroslaw.majka@geo.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 10 September 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2494 .