CALL FOR PROPOSALS, 2024
(Application deadline: October 15th, 2023)
Applications are invited for analytical time at NordSIMS-Vegacenter, a Swedish Research
Council supported national infrastructure for microanalysis and imaging in the Earth,
environmental and planetary sciences that comprises the NordSIMS ion microprobe facility
and the Vegacenter facility for (LA-)ICP-MS. Applications are particularly encouraged from
members of under-represented and historically disadvantaged groups.
The facility is equipped with: (1) a CAMECA IMS1280 large-geometry ion microprobe for high
spatial resolution, in situ isotopic and elemental analysis and ion imaging; (2) a Nu Instruments
Plasma II multi-collector ICP-MS (with Plasma 3 upgrade) for isotope analysis; (3) a Nu
Instruments AttoM high resolution ICP-MS for trace-element analysis; (4) a Thermo Triton
TIMS and (5) an ESEM (with EBSD). Both ICP-MS instruments can also be coupled to an ESI
NWR193UC laser ablation system (ArF excimer) for in situ analysis.
Currently established analytical procedures can be found on the infrastructure web pages,
www.nrm.se/nordsim or www.nrm.se/vegacenter. Other analytical methods may exist or can
be developed collaboratively – please enquire to martin.whitehouse@nrm.se or
chris.mark@nrm.se.
Applications received on or before the deadline will be evaluated by the NordSIMSVegacenter
Steering Committee and successful projects will be scheduled to run in 2023. The
sole criteria for assessment are scientific excellence and technical feasibility.
All new applications should comprise the following:
1) Application form with summary project information;
2) Detailed project description (max. 2 pages A4, 12pt font);
3) User statistics form (this information will not be used for evaluation).
Applications which are continuations of previously approved projects should complete only
the ongoing project form. All application forms may be downloaded from
www.nrm.se/nordsim or www.nrm.se/vegacenter, together with more detailed call
information. Alternatively, forms are obtainable from the facility on request. Completed
applications should be e-mailed with the subject “NordSIMS-Vegacenter 2024” to nordsimsvegacenter@
nrm.se (please note, this email address has been updated from previous years).