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2-year 100% Postdoc position Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany

TB
Thilo Bissbort
Wed, Mar 4, 2026 11:51 AM

Dear list members,

we are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a Postdoctoral
Researcher
to join our experimental petrology team at the
Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. This position offers a unique
opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on the formation of
submarine basalts
.

The full description of the position is provided below. If you are
interested please feel free to contact me directly at
thilo.bissbort@ruhr-uni-bochum.de. Please forward this announcement to
anyone who might be interested.

2-year (100%) Postdoctoral Research Position, Experimental Petrology
and Geochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany

Position summary

The Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry workgroup at the
Ruhr-University of Bochum is inviting applications (m/f/x) for a
full-time, 2-year, DFG-funded Postdoctoral research position. This
position is part of the project “Formation of submarine basalts”, which
is led by Thilo Bissbort and funded as part of the SPP 1006 ICDP
program. The project aims to improve our understanding of how submarine
basalts form by studying samples from the HSDP2 drilling project in
Hawaii. Employing state-of-the-art analytical methods that include
techniques like fast differential scanning calorimetry and TEM, we will
specifically shed light on two main aspects:

(1)    Thermal history of submarine basalts from small to large scale.

(2)    Crystallization dynamics in submarine basalts.

The study will involve the detailed characterization of pristine HSDP2
samples, as well as samples that have undergone thermal analysis, using
a variety of techniques. Glass transition temperatures will be measured
by differential scanning calorimetry. Cooling rate gradients on small
and large scales will be reconstructed based on
enthalpy-relaxation-geospeedometry results. These will then be compared
to commonly applied heat conduction models. Systematic, controlled
cooling experiments, combined with detailed chemical and spectroscopic
analysis, will be employed to investigate the impact of cooling rates on
phenomena like nanoscale phase separation and the formation of
nanolites. The results of this study will be interpreted in terms of the
dynamics of submarine basalt formation including thermal history, the
formation of phases linked to this process, and the resulting rheology.

The project is taking place at the Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany and
in close cooperation with the Department for Earth and Environmental
Studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.

The Department of Geosciences at RUB boasts a comprehensive array of
analytical and experimental facilities. For more details, visit our
webpages: Petrology & Geochemistry
(https://www.gmg.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/index.php/en/arbeitsrichtungen/petrologie-und-geochemie)
and EPMA (https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/epma/index.html.en).
Additionally, we have access to the microanalytical facilities of the
Center for Interface-Dominated High-Performance Materials
(https://zgh.rub.de/core-facilities), conveniently located on campus.
The Department for Earth and Environmental Studies at the LMU makes
further analytical resources accessible, including thermal analysis
techniques
(https://www.en.mineralogie.geowissenschaften.uni-muenchen.de/facilities/thermal_analysis/index.html).

Qualifications

•    Doctoral degree in Earth sciences, physics, chemistry, or material
sciences
•    Experience in working with silicate glasses and melts

Required skills

•    Ability to perform SEM, EPMA, and Raman measurements
•    Ability to process, evaluate, interpret, and present data
•    Proficiency in programming/scripting languages such as Python
and/or Matlab.
•    Excellent verbal and written communication skills
•    Ability to work independently and willingness to work in a
collaborative environment

Preferences

Preference will be given to those who have experience in TEM, FIB-SEM,
and/or Raman analysis. Experience with numerical modeling and thermal
analysis techniques is beneficial.

Terms of employment

The position is 100% TV-L 13 for 2 years.

Additional information

At the request of the applicant (m,f,x), the staff council may be
involved in selection interviews. https://www.wpr.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/
The employee has no teaching obligation.
German language courses are offered by the University Language Center
(ZfA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF).
https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en
You can find information about TV-L at: https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/

Application process

Interested candidates should send their application documents to
thilo.bissbort@rub.de. The application should include:
•    One-page motivation letter
•    Full CV
•    Latest transcript of records
•    Contact details of at least two referees who can provide a
recommendation letter

Application deadline

The deadline for submissions is 31st March 2026.

About RUB

The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research
universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A
highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across
the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create
knowledge networks within and beyond the university is RUB’s declared aim.
The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal
opportunities. For this reason, we favor a working environment composed
of heterogeneous teams and seek to promote the careers of individuals
who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The
Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women.
In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given
preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male
candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most
welcome.

Best wishes and looking forward to your application,

Thilo Bissbort

--

Thilo Bissbort
Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry
Institute of Geosciences
Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany

Dear list members, we are thrilled to announce an exciting opportunity for a *Postdoctoral Researcher* to join our experimental petrology team at the Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research on the *formation of submarine basalts*. The full description of the position is provided below. If you are interested please feel free to contact me directly at *thilo.bissbort@ruhr-uni-bochum.de*. Please forward this announcement to anyone who might be interested. *2-year (100%) Postdoctoral Research Position, Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany* *_Position summary_* The Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry workgroup at the Ruhr-University of Bochum is inviting applications (m/f/x) for a full-time, 2-year, DFG-funded Postdoctoral research position. This position is part of the project “Formation of submarine basalts”, which is led by Thilo Bissbort and funded as part of the SPP 1006 ICDP program. The project aims to improve our understanding of how submarine basalts form by studying samples from the HSDP2 drilling project in Hawaii. Employing state-of-the-art analytical methods that include techniques like fast differential scanning calorimetry and TEM, we will specifically shed light on two main aspects: (1)    Thermal history of submarine basalts from small to large scale. (2)    Crystallization dynamics in submarine basalts. The study will involve the detailed characterization of pristine HSDP2 samples, as well as samples that have undergone thermal analysis, using a variety of techniques. Glass transition temperatures will be measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Cooling rate gradients on small and large scales will be reconstructed based on enthalpy-relaxation-geospeedometry results. These will then be compared to commonly applied heat conduction models. Systematic, controlled cooling experiments, combined with detailed chemical and spectroscopic analysis, will be employed to investigate the impact of cooling rates on phenomena like nanoscale phase separation and the formation of nanolites. The results of this study will be interpreted in terms of the dynamics of submarine basalt formation including thermal history, the formation of phases linked to this process, and the resulting rheology. The project is taking place at the Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany and in close cooperation with the Department for Earth and Environmental Studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany. The Department of Geosciences at RUB boasts a comprehensive array of analytical and experimental facilities. For more details, visit our webpages: Petrology & Geochemistry (https://www.gmg.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/index.php/en/arbeitsrichtungen/petrologie-und-geochemie) and EPMA (https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/epma/index.html.en). Additionally, we have access to the microanalytical facilities of the Center for Interface-Dominated High-Performance Materials (https://zgh.rub.de/core-facilities), conveniently located on campus. The Department for Earth and Environmental Studies at the LMU makes further analytical resources accessible, including thermal analysis techniques (https://www.en.mineralogie.geowissenschaften.uni-muenchen.de/facilities/thermal_analysis/index.html). *_Qualifications_* •    Doctoral degree in Earth sciences, physics, chemistry, or material sciences •    Experience in working with silicate glasses and melts *_Required skills_* •    Ability to perform SEM, EPMA, and Raman measurements •    Ability to process, evaluate, interpret, and present data •    Proficiency in programming/scripting languages such as Python and/or Matlab. •    Excellent verbal and written communication skills •    Ability to work independently and willingness to work in a collaborative environment *_Preferences_* Preference will be given to those who have experience in TEM, FIB-SEM, and/or Raman analysis. Experience with numerical modeling and thermal analysis techniques is beneficial. *_Terms of employment_* The position is 100% TV-L 13 for 2 years. *_Additional information_* At the request of the applicant (m,f,x), the staff council may be involved in selection interviews. https://www.wpr.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/ The employee has no teaching obligation. German language courses are offered by the University Language Center (ZfA) in the field of German as a Foreign Language (DaF). https://www.daf.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sbgk/index.html.en You can find information about TV-L at: https://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/ *_Application process_* Interested candidates should send their application documents to thilo.bissbort@rub.de. The application should include: •    One-page motivation letter •    Full CV •    Latest transcript of records •    Contact details of at least two referees who can provide a recommendation letter *_Application deadline_* The deadline for submissions is 31st March 2026. *_About RUB_* The Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of Germany’s leading research universities, addressing the whole range of academic disciplines. A highly dynamic setting enables researchers and students to work across the traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. To create knowledge networks within and beyond the university is RUB’s declared aim. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum stands for diversity and equal opportunities. For this reason, we favor a working environment composed of heterogeneous teams and seek to promote the careers of individuals who are underrepresented in our respective professional areas. The Ruhr-Universität Bochum expressly requests job applications from women. In areas in which they are underrepresented they will be given preference in the case of equivalent qualifications with male candidates. Applications from individuals with disabilities are most welcome. Best wishes and looking forward to your application, Thilo Bissbort -- ------------------------ Thilo Bissbort Experimental Petrology and Geochemistry Institute of Geosciences Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany