PhD student in Geochemistry and Petrology

The Department of Geological Sciences is a department within the Faculty of Science with courses at master's, bachelor's and orientation levels. The department supports a broad range of basic research within marine geology and geophysics, geochemistry and classical geology.

More information about us, please visit: the Department of Geological Sciences.

Project description

According to the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC, 2022), mitigation pathways that offer a 50% chance of limiting end-of-century global warming to 1.5°C rely partly on removal of as much as 1090 billion tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere by novel Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies. Currently, 0.002 billion tons of carbon dioxide are removed annually from the atmosphere by such technologies. In other words, novel CDR technologies need to be upscaled by as much as a factor of 5000 from present-day levels. Novel CDR technologies involve storing carbon in rocks, of which mafic volcanic rocks (basalts) are of particular interest because carbon storage has been shown to occur by rapid mineralization (Matter et al., 2016). However, most basalts occur beneath the ocean floor, which is unsuitable for storing carbon for practical reasons. Occasionally, rocks of basaltic composition are found on continents. These were brought there (obducted) during mountain building. Typically, obduction is accompanied by metamorphism, a process which transforms basalt into a suite of rocks (metabasalts) that have the same composition as basalt but are made of different minerals. Assessing the global potential of metabasalts for CDR requires knowledge of rates and mechanisms of carbonation reactions in metabasalts in the near surface environment.

This four-year petrological and geochemical study focuses on testing the hypothesis that metabasalts are suitable for CDR by mineralization (carbonation). The hypothesis will be tested by a combination of petrographic methods (mainly optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy) and performing flow through geochemical experiments on metabasalts that were formed at different pressures and temperatures. Training will be offered in fieldwork, petrology, experimental and analytical geochemistry and geochemical modelling. The successful applicant will join a team of petrologists and geochemists working on CDR at Stockholm University and Luleå Technical University.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Geology stipulates that applicants must normally have:

• At least 90 credits in geosciences
• At least 30 credits in mathematics, physics, chemistry and/or biology depending on the chosen subject area in marine geology.
• In addition, at least 60 credits at the advanced level, including 30 credits of independent work in geosciences. 

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• the candidate’s documented knowledge of petrology and geochemistry
• written and oral proficiency in English
• the capacity for analytical thinking, the ability to collaborate
• creativity, initiative, and independence.

The assessment will be based on previous experience and grades, the quality of the degree project, references, relevant experience, interviews, and the candidate’s written motivation for seeking the position. In addition, experience with petrography is an important qualification.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Prof. Alasdair Skelton, alasdair.skelton@geo.su.se

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.