As French Geological Survey, BRGM is France's reference public institution for Earth Science applications in the management of surface and subsurface resources and risks. Its actions encompass research, support to public policies, international cooperation and post mining activities.

The position is based in Orléans, France, and to be filled on December 1st, 2014.

Context
The Laboratory Division gathers the analytical and experimental facilities of BRGM. In the framework of its research and expertise activities, the Laboratory Division aims to enlarge its analytical potential on solid materials by adding Laser Ablation coupled to ICPMs (LA-ICPMS) for elemental analysis to a large panel of existing analytical tools. The latter comprise LA-MC-ICPMS (Neptune) for isotope analyses. One of the scientific target is the characterization of strategic metal deposits through in-situ analysis on solid samples allowing to assess chemical variations at micrometric scale.

You will be in charge of
implementing the LA-ICPMS technique in the BRGM laboratories relying on the solid experience of the isotope geochemistry team on LA-MC-ICPMS coupling ;
develop and validate multi-elemental analyses, including trace metals, in particular REEs and PGMs, on reference materials and various matrices in natural samples ;
realise first applications in relation with the current research programs in BRGM.

Requirements

PhD in geochemistry,
theoretical and practical knowledge of in-situ LA-ICPMS analysis,
capacity to develop and apply analytical methods,
good level of written and spoken English, ideally also French,
a proven record of written and published scientific papers,
good organisational skills, teamwork capacity, autonomy.