PhD fellowship in Fluid-rock reactions and Tectonics
To apply - before the 17th of march 2025
Context
The position is related to the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) – Doctoral Network FluxBEATS “Fluxes at Divergent Plate Boundary Environments Analyzed in Time and Space” that integrates geological observations, cutting-edge geochemical and biogeochemical analyses, data and modeling from modern volcanic systems along mid-ocean ridges (MOR) and back-arc spreading centers with Cretaceous ophiolites and Precambrian magmatic suites and associated hydrothermal systems. A total of 10 doctoral candidates will investigate the geological processes and biogeochemical fluxes from the Earth’s mantle through the oceanic lithosphere and hydrosphere. PhD candidates will receive training on essential skills during a range of workshops, summer schools and internships with the various academic and non-academic partners of the project.
Job description:
The full-time, three-year position aims at understanding the links between tectonics, bulk alteration and focused hydrothermal activity at deforming systems along slow-spreading MOR, e.g. transform faults, non-transform offsets and detachments faults, in order to estimate the duration, extent and chemical impact of fluid-rock reactions. Extensive data sets from recent oceanographic cruises are available, notably along the slow Mid-Atlantic Ridge from Rainbow massif (oceanic core complex, MAR), the Romanche transform fault, the 13°N Detachments, among others.
The tasks will include :
- A mineralogical, petrological and geochemical (major, trace, dating) investigation of rock samples from basement and/or hydrothermal outflow areas (sulfide, carbonates, shells) collected at case-study sites. Samples are available from past and recent oceanographic cruises.
- An integration of the data into a detailed structural and magmatic framework using geophysical and high-resolution bathymetric data in addition to sea-bottom high-resolution videos.
- A confrontation of results to thermomechanical models of the deforming oceanic lithosphere to quantify regional fluxes that will be then integrated into models of plate tectonic reconstruction for estimating their long term evolution (today to 200 Ma ; GPlates models)
- The candidate will be hosted at the Geology Laboratory of Lyon, located on the campus of the University Lyon 1 (France) under the supervision of Pr. Muriel Andreani (University of Lyon 1) and co-supervised by Javier Escartin from the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris (ENSP). Collaborations also include other scientists from the ENSP and the Institut Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP), in addition to scientists involved the FluxBEATS network. Candidates should hold a Master in Earth Sciences or related fields, proficient knowledge of English, and with strong interest for mineralogy, petrology, geochemistry, and tectonics. Experience in some techniques of rock characterization (e.g. optical and electron microscopy, XRD, vibrational spectrocopy, electron microprobe…), as well as clean room laboratory and mass spectrometer analyses (MC-ICP-MS) will be appreciated. Familiarity with geographic information systems will be a plus. Willingness and ability to collaborate with a large team and to travel to partner institutions (secondments) and network events is expected.
- The following English-language documents using templates from the FluxBEATS website must be enclosed with applications: 1) Application form; 2) Curriculum Vitae; 3) Eligibility and mobility declaration; 4) Motivation letter outlining applicants research experience, interests, motivation, and personal assessment of suitability for a given position; 5) Reference contact information. Questions and applications should be sent to Muriel Andreani at muriel.andreani@univ-lyon1.fr. Université Lyon 1 is committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals, including those from underrepresented groups in Earth sciences.Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (such as studies, work, or research) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline (see FluxBEATS templates).