Organisation/Company: University of St Andrews
Research Field: Geosciences » Geology
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Country: United Kingdom
Application Deadline: 7 Mar 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels)
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101168931
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
A new approach to “fingerprint” alteration associated with metalliferous and barren hydrothermal systems.
Overview & Research Questions
Alteration driven by hydrothermal fluids is inherent to the mineralization process for many of the world’s most important ore deposits. As global demand for metals increases in-step with the transition to green energy, the use of alteration as a visual vectoring tool becomes ever more essential in the search for new resources. Traditional methods for the classification of alteration rely nearly entirely on subjective observations by individual geologists that are highly susceptible to error and/or bias. The use of spectral and rock magnetic analysis methods as a vectoring tool facilitates a partially quantitative approach to characterization alteration systems and aids in closing the gap between theoretical models and the complexity of real ore systems. However, innovative tools in characterizing oxide and sulfide minerals, such as the use of First-order reversal curve (FORC) analysis, remains untapped and only limited progress has been made in cross-referencing geochemical, magnetic and spectral data sets with a view to quantitatively characterizing alteration systems.
This study will address this challenge by employing a suite of technologies at the forefront of geomagnetic and spectral mineral analysis, to characterize the 3D alteration system associated with the Skellefte District, Sweden. The goal of the study is to cross-reference the arising data with the support of novel machine learning techniques, to establish a quantitative classification system for VMS hydrothermal alteration.
The following criteria apply to all the DC positions within ForMovFluid:
* Early-Stage Researchers Rule: All researchers recruited in a doctoral network must be Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs, i.e., be in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree).
* Nationality Rule: Researchers can be of any nationality.
* Mobility Rule: At the time of recruitment by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.
* English Language: ESRs must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.
* Host Specific Criteria: Every ESR must qualify for admittance as a PhD student at the university the position is assigned to.
* Number of Applications: Candidates can apply for up to 5 projects.
Specific Requirements:
We invite applications from candidates with a first-class or 2:1 BSc degree in Geology or a closely related discipline. A master’s qualification or equivalent experience is advantageous, and we welcome those with non-traditional routes to PhD study. A strong background in Earth sciences and a willingness to develop expertise in petrographic and analytical methods are essential. Candidates should demonstrate the potential for high-quality research and a passion for pursuing a career in environmental research or related applications.
You will join the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of St Andrews, becoming part of the ForMovFluid group. Here, you will enhance both technical and soft skills while exploring interdisciplinary approaches and tools. Strong team-building abilities are highly valued.
Additional Information:
Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will be provided with a living allowance, subject to local taxation and government contribution requirements:
Scotland Living Allowance £49,575 p.a. gross.
Should you have a family at the time of your recruitment, you are entitled to an additional "family allowance" of EUR 500 per month.
Selection process:
To apply to this position, please do it through ForMovFluid’s website. You can apply through the dedicated form you will see in each position. You can apply for up to 5 projects (select them in the same form, ordered by your priority of choice), and please attach the following documents in the form:
* A two-page CV
* A one-page motivation letter for each of the DCs positions you want to apply.
The e-mail for a reference contact (not a reference letter, just the contact). We might contact your reference person during the decision process.
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