PhD Student in Geology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Rock aggregate materials produced from crushed bedrock are by far the most widely exploited natural resource in Sweden (c. 8 tons per person and year), used for roads, railroads, and production of concrete. Variations in technical properties of the bedrock call for a prediction model addressing these variations with metamorphic state, primarily metamorphic temperature, strain, and the presence of hydrous fluid and/or partial melt during metamorphism. Applications are invited for a four-year PhD-position investigating this variation with focus on micro-structure and micro-texture, along a metamorphic field gradient from epidote-amphibolite- to high-pressure granulite-facies. The PhD position is placed at the Department of Geology, Lund University, and involves collaboration with the Geological Survey of Sweden and Research Institutes of Sweden AB (RISE).

Job Assignment
The main aim of the PhD project is to address the variations in technical properties with metamorphic conditions, primarily temperature, strain, and the presence of hydrous fluid and/or partial melt during metamorphism. The PhD student will work with samples from the Eastern Segment, along a 120 km long and 30 km wide profile across SW Sweden (Skillingaryd-Värnamo to Varberg-Falkenberg). The investigations include: 1) petrographic documentation of textural and micro-structural variations in metamorphosed granitic and gabbroic rocks, respectively, 2) measurement of technical properties of the same rocks, and 3) correlation of technical properties with metamorphic state. Micro-analytical techniques include: polarized microscopy and image analysis, fluorescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The PhD student will spend 2x3 weeks at the Geological Survey in Uppsala for measurement of technical properties. The project will allow the candidate to develop the later part of the PhD project within her/his special field of interest, within either metamorphic petrology or material science.

Principal supervisor is Prof. Charlotte Möller (Department of Geology, Lund University); co-supervisors are Dr. Jan Erik Lindqvist (Research Institutes of Sweden AB, Lund) and Senior Geologists Dr. Jenny Andersson and Mattias Göransson (both at the Geological Survey of Sweden, Uppsala), and Dr. Urban Åkesson at the Swedish Transport Administration.

The four-year position consists of (in total) three years of research and one year of PhD courses (given at Lund University and elsewhere). The PhD student is also expected to take an active part in the department’s teaching program and help out with basic educational tasks. Departmental duties, such as assistant teaching, are allowed to reach maximum 20% and are compensated through extension of the position.

Entry Requirements
We are looking for an independent and creative person who thrives in a research environment. The applicant should be committed and focused, and be able to take responsibility for her/his research project. Ability to work well independently and with others is a necessity, as are strong communication skills.

The successful applicant is expected to hold a Master of Science degree (or equivalent) in Geology or Earth Science, with a strong background in petrographic microscopy of metamorphic rocks, metamorphic petrology, and structural geology. Documented experience of research and interest in metamorphic geology is strongly desired, and proven skill in scientific writing in English, such as publications, essays, or equivalent, is essential. Documented experience in scanning electron microscopy and mineral chemical analysis (EDS/ WDS) are desirable merits, as are well-received teaching contributions.

We offer one full-time PhD position for 4 years with Swedish social security benefits. The position will be located at the Department of Geology, Lund University. The application for the advertised position must include:

• Letter of interest that describes the applicant’s background, interests and ambitions in relation to the project (one page).
• CV comprising date of birth and complete listing of BSc and MSc grades, plus contact information of previous employers or internship advisors.
• Academic transcripts.
• List of publications including Master’s or Bachelor’s theses.
• A PDF file (or link for downloading) of publications including Master’s or Bachelor’s theses.
• Documentation of teaching merits.
• Name and contact details of at least two references.
  

Candidates may be called for an interview.

Eligibility
Students with basic eligibility for third-cycle studies are those who- have completed a second-cycle degree- have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, or- have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

The employment of doctoral students is regulated in the Swedish Code of Statues 1998: 80. Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to doctoral studentships. When an appointment to a doctoral studentship is made, the ability of the student to benefit from PhD-studies shall primarily be taken into account. In addition to devoting themselves to their studies, those appointed to doctoral studentships may be required to work with educational tasks, research and administration, in accordance with specific regulations in the ordinance.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.