Ocean Geochemistry Post-Doc

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to lead the scientific development of management strategies to increase carbon storage stability in ocean effluent. This position is ideal for a candidate who thrives at the intersection of academic research and applied climate technology. The researcher will split their time between Dalhousie university and pHathom Technologies, working closely with both academic advisors and industry scientists and engineers.

What you'll do

• Design and conduct laboratory and/or field experiments to determine the conditions that influence the geochemical stability of AWL effluent (e.g., temperature, salinity, total suspended solids, mixing, saturation state of calcite).
• Quantify thresholds (e.g., upper bounds of carbonate mineral saturation index) beyond which undesirable outcomes such as calcite precipitation or CO₂ off-gassing may occur.
• Integrate experimental findings into dispersion models to simulate effluent mixing and chemical behavior in target ocean release sites.
• Perform literature reviews and comparative studies on natural alkalinity release processes (e.g., submarine groundwater discharge, basalt weathering) to understand ecological and geochemical context.
• Collaborate with pHathom’s technical and policy teams to help translate research into operational guidance and regulatory insights.

Qualifications

Required

• PhD in geochemistry, chemical oceanography, environmental engineering, or a related field (completed or near completion)
• Strong background in aqueous geochemistry and carbonate chemistry
• Experience designing and analyzing lab or field experiments
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and across disciplinary teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Nice-To-Have

• Experience with reactive transport or hydrodynamic dispersion modeling (e.g., using tools like Delft3D, ROMS, or similar)
• Knowledge of marine CDR or ocean-based interventions
• Familiarity with calcite precipitation kinetics or related mineral dissolution/precipitation processes