Postdoctoral position in Isotope Geochemistry and Experimental Petrology

Marie-Curie Initial Training Network ABYSS (ER3)

Training network on reactive geological systems from the mantle to the abyssal sub-seafloor

Host institution : Ocean & Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton (UK)
Secondment institutions: Géosciences Montpellier (FR); University of Oslo (NO); University of Bremen (DE).

Ocean and Earth Science at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton seeks to appoint a post-doctoral research fellow in isotope geochemistry and experimental petrology. The successful applicant will develop new isotopic experimental techniques for quantifying the rates and mechanisms of fluid-rock exchange. He/she will work in close collaboration with Damon Teagle (OES, Univ. Southampton), Marguerite Godard and Philippe Gouze (Géosciences Montpellier), Bjorn Jamtveit (Univ. Oslo) and Wolfgang Bach (Univ. Bremen).

Deep, high temperature fluid-rock reactions cannot be directly observed and must be deciphered from petrographic and geochemical observations of fossil fluid-rock interactions preserved in ophiolites or recovered from ocean floor drill cores. Tracing the movement of seawater-derived isotopes through the crust is an essential tool to determine the extent of water-rock interactions along evolving temperature and hydrothermal pathways. However, isotopic measurements are often simply interpreted using non-dimensional water-rock ratios, rather than in the context of the transport of a reactive tracer through a porous media or crack network.
Methods: This project will test and calibrate models of deep crustal mineral-fluid exchange through a suite of reactive percolation experiments, using isotopically labelled (e.g., Sr, Mg, O, H, C) hydrothermal fluids and seawater injected into lower crustal and mantle rock analogues at appropriate temperatures. Analyses of fluids and secondary minerals will be integrated with reactive tracer transport models to quantify hydrothermal fluid-rock exchange and to better estimate ocean ridge fluid fluxes.
Goals: Geochemical and isotopic analyses of primary and secondary minerals from experimental charges and the associated reaction fluids will be integrated to develop improved reactive tracer transport models for hydrothermal cooling of the lower oceanic crust and reactions in the upper mantle.

Requirements: Candidates must hold a PhD in Earth Sciences and specialist experience in isotope geochemistry, experimental petrology, and/or numerical modeling of fluid-rock interactions is essential.

This fellowship is for a period of 24 months starting no later than: 1st October, 2015.

It is funded by ABYSS, an EU Framework 7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network which brings together 10 European research groups and 4 Associated Partners from the private sector. ABYSS consists of 12 PhD students (ESR: Early Stage Researcher) and 3 postdoctoral fellows (ER: Experienced Researcher).
Recruitment will be an international process based on the principles of the European Charter and Code for Researchers and the eligibility criteria for ITN projects.

A candidate for post-doctoral fellowship (ER) is a researcher who, at the time of recruitment, is in possession of a doctoral degree (or has at least 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience) and has less than 5 years of full-time equivalent research experience. Full-time equivalent research experience means  the research experience measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited or seconded, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate is or was ever envisaged. Candidates  can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment, researchers shall not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of their future host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to that date.

Salary and monthly mobility allowances follow attractive/competitive E.U. standards.

Deadline for application: Sunday 9 August 2015

To apply candidates are required to submit an application to Ocean and Earth Science at the University of Southampton (offer 592015HN) via the link below:

This position has been filled.

For further information, contact: Professor Damon A.H. Teagle (Damon.Teagle@southampton.ac.uk)