Two Phd Scholarships In Geochemistry And Petrology Of Magmatic Systems

Two PhD Scholarships in Geochemistry and Petrology of Magmatic Systems

Employer

Curtin University

Curtin is an innovative, global university known for its high-impact research, strong industry partnerships and commitment to preparing you for jobs of the future.

Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)

Type

Full time

Level

Student / Graduate / Internship

Open

Preferred education

Master

15 August 2025

Posted

2 July 2025

Project Background

Carbonatite intrusions and their hydrothermal systems are key sources of critical minerals, including rare earth elements. Despite their significance, fundamental questions remain about why carbonatite and silicate melts frequently coexist, and how they influence the transport and deposition of economically important metals.

The ARC Discovery Project "It's About Time : Critical Minerals in Carbonatite Systems" aims to address these questions by investigating the temporal relationships between carbonatite and silicate melts, as well as their associated hydrothermal systems. Using state-of-the-art accessory mineral and noble gas dating techniques, the project will achieve unprecedented age resolution to better understand the environments in which carbonatites and their associated mineral deposits formed—both in Australia and globally.

Scholarship Details

The project focuses on two prominent carbonatite locations :

Laacher See Volcano (Germany) – a Quaternary site providing a modern example of a coevolving carbonatite–silicate system.

Mt. Weld (Western Australia) – one of the world's oldest carbonatites, offering insights into Proterozoic magmatic processes and the stability of accessory minerals over geological timescales.

As a PhD candidate, you will conduct fieldwork at Mt. Weld in collaboration with industry partners and analyse mineral samples using the cutting-edge facilities at Curtin University's John de Laeter Centre and School of Earth and Planetary Sciences—ranked #1 in Australia for Earth Sciences. You will join an expert research team including Dr. Luc Doucet, Dr. Denis Fougerouse, Prof. Fred Jourdan, and Prof. Axel Schmitt, who will provide supervision and training in advanced analytical techniques such as :

• Geochronology and isotopic studies using large-geometry ion microprobe and noble gas mass spectrometry
• Geochemical and mineralogical analysis using LA- ICP -MS, SEM , and automated mineralogy
• Microstructural investigations at atomic scales using ToF- SIMS , EBSD , Raman microscopy, cathodoluminescence imaging, and atom probe tomography

Scholarship Benefits :

How to apply

Who Should Apply?

We are looking for highly motivated candidates with :

How to Apply

For enquiries, please contact Prof. Axel Schmitt at .

To apply, email your application by 15 August 2025 to , including the following documents :

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit an Expression of Interest ( EOI ) including a draft research proposal.

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