Post-doctoral fellowship in sedimentary provenance analysis at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Post-doctoral fellowship in sedimentary provenance analysis at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

The Department of Geology at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, immediately seeks applicants for a postdoctoral fellowship in applying apatite grain chemistry as a provenance tool in the geological record. 

We are particularly interested in:

i) appyling apatite U-Pb age and trace element geochemistry as a provenance tool in ancient sedimentary systems. Target case studies include syn-orogenic sequences in foreland basins and hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir sandstones on passive margins.

ii) developing the link between apatite trace-element chemistry and parent-rock composition.

iii) the chemistry of Precambrian biogenic apatite. 

The project also includes scope to investigate other 'non-traditional' approaches to single-grain sedimentary provenance.

The appointment is for 2 years and has a salary of €34,500.  Completion of a Ph.D. is preferred, although highly qualified applicants nearing the end of a Ph.D. will be considered.  Experience in ICP-MS and a publication record in international peer-reviewed journals is expected. The Department has a newly installed Thermo iCAP Qs ICP-MS and a Photon Machines Analyte Excite ArF Excimer laser facility (http://www.tcd.ie/Geology/geochemfacility/). 

Please contact Dr David Chew chewd@tcd.ie (+353-1-896-3481) for further information or send applications including curriculum vitae, list of publications, statement of research interests, and contact details of two academic referees. Evaluations of applicants will start March 15^th, 2013 and continue until the position is filled.

Ph.D. studentship in sedimentary provenance analysis at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland

Ph.D. studentship - Microanalysis of detrital apatite as a provenance proxy in sedimentary systems.

Supervisors Dr David Chew (Department of Geology, Trinity College Dublin)

Dr Shane Tyrrell (Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, NUI Galway)

Project description

A four year Ph.D. research studentship opportunity in the field of sedimentary provenance studies exists for highly motivated individuals at the Department of Geology, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

The project aims to develop further the application of the heavy mineral apatite in sedimentary provenance analysis.  It will combine both field work and laboratory work, using a series of targeted case studies to establish if apatite faithfully records the composition (in terms of its U-Pb age and trace element geochemistry) of its source region.  The field work will involve detailed of sampling modern river systems in southern Europe and their respective catchment areas.  The laboratory work will comprise apatite U-Pb dating and trace-element analyses which will be undertaken in-house by LA-ICPMS.  The ultimate goal is to establish the potential for apatite as a first-cycle provenance tool by determining the extent of apatite recycling in sedimentary systems.

Requirements and Training

The ideal candidate is a Geology graduate with some laboratory experience, preferably with a Masters degree.  The project is open to EU students only (students who have been resident for 3 out of the last 5 years in the EU) and includes fees and a tax-free stipend of €18,000 per annum.  Prospective candidates should send an academic c.v. and the names and contact details of two academic referees to chewd@tcd.ie by March 20^th 2013.

PhD project at the University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) on the British-Irish Ice Sheet

PhD project entitled 'Variability of the British-Irish Ice Sheet in the Rockall Trough (North Atlantic) through ice-rafted debris and micro-faunal record' is available at the School of Environmental Sciences of University of Ulster (Northern Ireland) with Dr Paul Dunlop and myself. Details attached.

Funding will be available on a competitive basis depending on performance at interview and CV.
UK-resident candidates can apply for a DEL scholarship, all others for a VCRS scholarship (see http://research.ulster.ac.uk/info/prospective/funding.html).
The School has an excellent record of obtaining scholarships, with 6 or 7 expected for the next academic year.

Deadline for applications 8th March 2013.
For applications see http://research.ulster.ac.uk/info/status/studentopp.html