PhD Research Fellow - Komatiite metamorphic devolatilization and metal mobilization

Earthworks; Karlsruhe; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 70.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

An innovative research position awaits a motivated individual at a leading institute, focusing on the fascinating study of orogenic gold deposits. As a PhD Research Fellow, you will engage in cutting-edge research, including fieldwork in Western Australia and advanced geochemical analysis. This role offers the chance to contribute to significant findings in economic geology and metamorphic processes while collaborating with a strong team of experts. If you are passionate about geosciences and eager to explore new research fields, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifikationen

• MSc degree in geosciences with a focus on ore forming processes.
• Strong background in economic geology, metamorphic petrology, and geochemistry.

Aufgaben

• Conduct literature research and field work in Western Australia.
• Prepare a PhD thesis and publish research results in recognized journals.

Kenntnisse

Geosciences

Economic Geology

Metamorphic Petrology

Geochemistry

P-T Modelling

Ore Petrology

Research Skills

Excellent English Skills (C1)

Ausbildung

MSc in Geosciences

Tools

Geochemical Lab Equipment

Jobbeschreibung

For the Institute of Applied Geosciences at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology at the Chair of Geochemistry and Economic Geology, we invite applications for a

PhD Research Fellow

for 3 years

TV-L E13 (75%)

to start in autumn 2025. The candidate will have the responsibility to conduct internationally visible research in the project KOMET2 "Komatiite metamorphic devolatilization and metal mobilization : Implications for orogenic gold deposit formation" . Your responsibility will be literature research, field work in Western Australia, sampling and sample preparation, petrography, whole rock geochemical analysis, P-T modelling of metakomatiite and investigation of a hypozonal orogenic gold deposit (petrography, geochronology, stable isotopes geochemistry). You are expected to the data and publish research results in internationally recognized journals. You will be given the opportunity to prepare a PhD thesis.

You have an MSc degree (or equivalent) in geosciences with research interest in ore forming and metamorphic processes. You have a strong background in economic geology, metamorphic petrology and geochemistry. You have basic experience and strong interest in P-T modelling and ore petrology. You are motivated, open for new research fields and able to communicate with technicians, other researchers and industry. Excellent English skills are mandatory (C1 level preferred). Field work in western Australia is planned for spring 2026.

We offer an attractive international work place with modern state-of-the-art geochemical lab equipment (https : / / lura.agw.kit.edu / english / index.php) and access to the world-class analytical pool of the KIT. We have a strong team in economic geology, geochemistry and geochronology (https : / / egg.agw.kit.edu / english / index.php) and a partnership with other researches at KIT. This project will be run in close collaboration with colleagues from other institutions and industry.

Equal opportunity is an inherent part of our personnel policy. Therefore, we are particularly welcoming applications from qualified women. Disabled persons will be given preferential treatment in the case of equal qualification.

For information about the position, the project and the institute, please contact Dr. Simon Hector, email : [emailprotected] .

Project Description

Orogenic gold deposits are extensively studied as they account for more than 25% of the global gold supply. These deposits are found along a crustal continuum, from granulite to prehnite-pumpellyite facies rocks, but they typically form between 1-3 kbar and 250-475°C, predominantly in greenschist to lower amphibolite facies rocks. The metamorphic devolatilization of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks at the greenschist-amphibolite facies transition is widely acknowledged as the primary source of fluids and metals for orogenic gold deposits up to amphibolite facies. However, the formation of hypozonal deposits at temperatures above 500°C and up to 700°C in amphibolite to granulite facies wall rocks challenges this model. Indeed, at temperature above 600°C, metamorphic fluids generated within quartz-feldspar-bearing rocks may induce partial melting, consuming the fluids and preventing the formation of hypozonal deposits. Various mechanisms have been proposed to address this conundrum, such as metamorphic gradient inversion (e.g., thrusting of high-grade metamorphic facies units above lower grade units) or contribution of deeper fluids (e.g., sub-crustal metamorphic or magmatic fluids). However, recent research indicates that komatiite - a significant but overlooked lithological unit in Precambrian greenstone belts - may generate auriferous metamorphic fluids up to the granulite facies and contribute to orogenic gold deposit formation, including the hypozonal type. Thermodynamic modelling indicates that metamorphic devolatilization of komatiites may generate substantial amounts of auriferous fluids through the breakdown of hydrated minerals up to 800°C without partial melting. This model fits with the geochemical characteristics and estimated pressure-temperature (P-T) formation conditions of hypozonal orogenic gold deposits, as well as with the close spatial and temporal association between hypozonal deposits and komatiites in greenstone belts.

The aims of KOMET2 are to : 1) test the metamorphic devolatilization model applied to komatiite and investigate auriferous fluid production, 2) evaluate the contribution of komatiite devolatilization to orogenic gold deposit formation, especially the hypozonal type.

To achieve these aims, we identified an ideal natural laboratory in the Southern Cross and Kalgoorlie greenstone belts in the Yilgarn craton in Western Australia. These belts contain metakomatiite ranging from granulite to greenschist facies and host numerous orogenic gold deposits, including the hypozonal type. By combining the mineralogy, whole rock geochemistry and thermodynamic P-T-X models of granulite to greenschist facies metakomatiite, we will characterize the behavior of metals, metalloids and ligands (e.g., As, Au, C, Co, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pt, S, Sb, Sn, Te) during prograde metamorphism and determine if an auriferous metamorphic fluid is produced. Furthermore, a detailed petrographic and isotopic study of the Marvel Loch deposit in the Southern Cross area, along with in-situ geochemistry and dating of hydrothermal minerals, will allow us to determine the link between metakomatiite devolatilization and hypozonal orogenic gold deposit formation.