Geochemists on the Move: interview with Benjamin Eickmann
Please introduce yourself. What is your field of study and how did you come to be in your current location? I am currently working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia. I am a geochemist with a strong interest in geobiology. My main research interests are to unravel the redox evolution of Earth’s ocean-atmosphere and to understand its link to biological processes through time, also to understand the geobiological interactions in hydrothermal systems. Most recently I have developed an interest in understanding how redox-sensitive elements help us to investigate geobiological processes recorded in marine and non-marine carbonate systems. To understand such interactions, I mostly combine trace element and stable isotope analyses in marine and terrestrial sediments and in various hydrothermal precipitates, such as black smokers or hydrothermal sediments.
I grew up in Germany and after studying geology/palaeontology at the University of Münster, I completed my PhD at the MARUM and the University of Bremen. I subsequently went on a “postdoc journey” to Norway, South Africa and back to Germany before joining the Universidad de los Andes in early 2021.
What were the scientific and/or personal reasons why you chose your current location? I was about to finish my postdoc position at the University of Tübingen in Germany and the Universidad de los Andes was looking for a new staff member, preferably someone with expertise in geochemistry. The timing was perfect, and I decided to apply. They finally offered me the position, but then the lockdown due to COVID-19 started also in Colombia and the university decided to freeze any new hirings, leaving me in a limbo again. I was finally able to start my position in early 2021, but stayed in Germany, and I taught the first semester online from Germany. I am still amazed that the university allowed me to start the position while staying in Germany.
How has the move to your new institution enriched your life both scientifically and personally? In my experience, it always opens up new possibilities and collaborations within and outside Colombia. Before moving to Colombia, my research interests were mainly focused on understanding the evolution of the ocean-atmosphere system on the early Earth and to investigate the geobiological processes in deep-sea hydrothermal systems, mainly in the North Atlantic. While starting to work in Colombia, I shifted my research focus a bit to investigate Cretaceous and Miocene paleoenvironments, but also to unravel the geobiological interactions in terrestrial hot springs here in Colombia and in carbonate systems.
What I enjoy the most about moving to a new country is immersing into a new culture and, with my move to Colombia, learning a completely new language. While Bogotá is an extremely huge and hectic mega city that can feel easily overwhelming, the countryside is completely the opposite. The Colombian countryside with its different landscapes is extremely diverse and beautiful, and the people are super welcoming, helpful and, in contrast to Bogotá, practice a more relaxing lifestyle.
What have been some of the biggest challenges moving transnationally for you? Learning a new language was and is still one of my biggest challenges here in Colombia. Moving as a postdoc to Norway and South Africa felt fairly easy in terms of the language, because English is commonly spoken in both countries. This is certainly not the case in Colombia, because Spanish is by far much more important than English. Apart from preparing classes and learn how the university works, a big part of my time is dedicated to learn Spanish. Starting as an Assistant Professor also requires the participation in various university meetings and committees, which can feel overwhelming as well if one still is in the process of learning the language.
Can you recount an occasion when perhaps things “got lost in translation”, or events took an unexpected turn during your time in your new country? When I started at the Universidad de los Andes, I actually got my office in the Department of Physics because there was no office available in the Department of Geosciences at that time. Soon after my arrival I started chatting with a biophysicist here at the university over a coffee and I told him about my research interests in understanding the geobiological interactions in the Archean. He, on the other hand, understood I was talking about archaea. However, after we realized we were talking about different topics, we kept discussing and eventually started a project that combines biophysics and geochemistry to investigate the geobiological interactions in geothermal sinter deposits here in Colombia.
Looking back, what are the most valuable lessons you learned from your experience living and working in a foreign country? In my opinion it is important to be always open-mined and be relaxed, things eventually work out, but I think the biggest lesson I learned from living abroad is to have trust in yourself and be self-confident. Being a foreigner often means that one has to find out how things work and accept that the same process might work differently, or simply takes more time compared to your home country. Due to the vast and diverse challenges, from learning a new language, obtaining a visa, getting used to a new culture and advancing your research and teaching, it is super important to set priorities. That being said, I have always enjoyed living abroad and meeting new people. If you get the chance, take it!
Interview conducted by the EAG Communications Committee