PhD candidates (two)

European Geosciences Union (EGU); Genf; Vor Ort; CHF 47.000 - 60.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The University of Geneva and the Swiss National Science Foundation are offering two PhD positions in Earth Sciences, focusing on thermochronology using Ar/Ar, Sm/Nd, U/Pb and Lu/Hf methods. Projects integrate in-situ geochronology with mineral characterization and include fieldwork in northern Sweden and Canada.

Applicants should hold a Master or equivalent in Earth Sciences or related fields and be proficient in English.

Qualifikationen

• Master or equivalent in Earth Sciences, Physics, Chemistry or Material Science preferred.
• Solid grounding in mathematics and the natural sciences is beneficial for thermochronology work.
• Candidates must be able to communicate clearly in English.
• Start date flexible, on or after 1 April 2027.
• Applications evaluated on a rolling basis until both positions are filled.

Aufgaben

• Join two PhD projects testing thermochronology assumptions.
• Combine in-situ geochronology with mineral characterization to constrain Ar and Pb redistribution.
• Significant field component in northern Sweden and Canada.

Kenntnisse

English communication

Mathematics foundation

Geochronology knowledge

Laboratory work

Fieldwork experience

Ausbildung

Master in Earth Sciences or related field

BSc (hons) in Earth Sciences

MSc in Earth Sciences

Jobbeschreibung

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Position

PhD candidates (two)

Employer

University of Geneva and the Swiss National Science Foundation

Homepage

https://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/en/earth-sciences-department/

Location

Geneva, Switzerland

Sector

Academic

Relevant divisions

• Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)
• Geodynamics (GD)
• Tectonics and Structural Geology (TS)

Type

Contract

Level

Student / Graduate / Internship

Salary

Open

Preferred Education

Master

Application deadline

31 December 2026

Posted

25 September 2026

Job Description

The University of Geneva, Switzerland has an extremely strong record in Isotope Geoscience, and is supported by in-house world-class analytical facilities, including access to the complementary laboratories at the University of Lausanne, 50km away. We are seeking two highly motivated PhD students to join our group at the University of Geneva. The projects will test key assumptions underlying thermochronology, focussing on the Ar/Ar, Sm/Nd, U/Pb and Lu/Hf methods. The two projects will combine in-situ geochronological measurements with mineral characterization (texture, composition, structure) to constrain the mechanisms of Ar and Pb redistribution within single crystals. Are isotopes mainly lost by thermally activated volume diffusion, leading to the generation of continuous thermal history paths? If so, what is the effect of the nature of the grain boundary? Alternatively, does the distribution of Ar and Pb reflect something else (e.g. mineral-fluid interaction)? The projects include a significant field component in northern Sweden and Canada, in regions that are excellent natural laboratories to test thermochronological assumptions, and where the geological histories are well known. Each project is fully funded for 4 years by the Swiss National Science Foundation at standard SNSF/UNIGE PhD salary scale. We welcome applications from candidates holding a BSc. (hons), MSc. or equivalent in Earth Sciences, Physics, Chemistry or Material Science. Thermochronology is a powerful but challenging quantitative tool, so a solid grounding in mathematics and the natural sciences is beneficial, as is the ability to work in a clean laboratory environment with sophisticated equipment. Candidates must be able to communicate clearly in English. The start date is flexible, but will be on or after the 1st of April, 2027. All applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until both positions are filled.