Two postdoctoral positions: Late Holocene Hydroclimate Variability Project (Chyvar)
Universiy of Liege / University of Brussels (ULB)
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)
Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Palaeontology (SSP)
Two postdoctoral positions: Late Holocene Hydroclimate Variability Project (Chyvar)
Dear colleagues,
Within the framework of the FNRS-funded project CHYVAR (i.e. “Hydroclimatic trend over the Late Holocene from lake sedimentary records from Central Chile”), we are seeking two postdoctoral researchers to work on a new 4-year project investigating hydroclimate variability during the Late Holocene. We seek two post-doctoral researchers in Geosciences or related fields. Each position is initially offered for 2 years, with the possibility of extension. The project is funded by the Belgian Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS) and involves collaboration between the University of Liège and the Université libre de Bruxelles.
CHYVAR project abstract
Unraveling variability and trends in hydroclimatic parameters (precipitation and temperature) is a fundamental research problem that is of great importance under the current climate changes, with significant environmental and societal impacts. Over the last two decades, Chile has suffered severe hydroclimatic extremes (e.g. wildfires, droughts). A decreasing trend in precipitation combined with higher temperatures was already described since the mid-20th century. Previous research has focused on providing quantitative temperature reconstructions for the last millennia. However, fewer studies have been conducted regarding past precipitation, leading to higher uncertainties in climate model outputs. Moreover, the lack of long-term climatic data, especially in South America, limits our understanding of the causes of hydroclimate variability on a variety of timescales.
Modern climate changes must be placed into a long-term context to reduce uncertainties about both the impact and magnitude of future climate changes. A longer-term perspective on continental climate evolution, especially precipitation, can be only provided by proxy records on either biological (tree-rings), glaciological (ice cores) or geological (lacustrine sediment) archives. Among those archives, our proposal CHYVAR will focus on lacustrine sediment records from a north-south transect (36-40°S) in Central Chile. The aim of CHYVAR is to contribute to a better understanding of precipitation variability over the Late Holocene (last 4.2 kyr). Geochemical XRF-CS data on short sedimentary cores will be compared with regional meteorological data to identify any geochemical proxy/ies for rainfall intensity. The depth-data evolution of the precipitation proxy(ies) will be converted into time-series and the obtained reconstructions will be compared to regional reconstructions to get an overall picture of the evolution of precipitation over the last 4 millennia.
Postdoc position 1 - Lacustrine sedimentology and geochemistry
Host institution: University of Liège (Supervisor: Nathalie Fagel)
This position focuses on the analysis and interpretation of lacustrine sediment cores from Chilean lakes.
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- coring, description and subsampling of 4–5 short sediment cores and 2 long sediment cores;
- sedimentological and geochemical analyses including thin section observations, mineralogical analysis by XRD, geochemical measurements using XRF core scanning;
- development of age models and interpretation of sedimentary records.
Postdoc position 2 - Atmospheric dust and meteorological analysis
Host institution: Université libre de Bruxelles (Supervisor: Nadine Mattielli)
This position focuses on meteorological data and the characterization of atmospheric dust.
The successful candidate will conduct analyses including:
- acquisition and analysis of SEM images;
- grain-size distribution measurements;
- elemental geochemistry: major and trace elements by ICP-OES and ICP-MS;
- Nd and Pb isotope analyses using MC-ICP-MS.
Collaboration and fieldwork
The two postdoctoral researchers will work closely together and are expected to:
- Participate in at least one field campaign in Chile (two campaigns are planned during the next three years)
- Attend international conferences
- Contribute jointly to publications, dissemination of results, and data management
Regular meetings will be organized between the two institutions in Liège and Brussels, which are located approximately 100 km apart.
Application
Please send the following documents by email before 15 May 2026:
- Motivation letter
- Curriculum vitae
- Publication list
- Indication of availability to start the position in 2026
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to online interviews in June 2026.
Contacts
- Nathalie Fagel (ULiege) - <nathalie.fagel@uliege.be>
- Nadine Mattielli (ULB) - <nadine.mattielli@ulb.be>