Funded PhD Studentship in Geology: Reconstructing marine environments in the Early Jurassic using biota migrations and water mass chemistry: Setting a new global standard Ref: 2552
About the award
Location: University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Stephen P. Hesselbo (University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines)
Secondary Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Page (Plymouth University); Dr. Clemens V. Ullmann (University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines)
Project description:
The Early Jurassic was a critical interval in Earth history, with important changes in plate tectonics, ocean chemistry, climate, flora, and fauna, leading the way to our modern Earth System. The aim of this project is to establish a new global standard of biostratigraphy, faunal migrations, and macrofossil-based geochemical parameters, using material from the Welsh Cardigan Bay Basin. Macrofauna will be used from an existing 1,300 m drillcore (‘Mochras A’) as well as a future equivalent core from the same area, drilling of which is planned for 2017 (funded by NERC and ICDP). The PhD student will contribute to the JET project (Integrated Understanding of Early Jurassic Earth System and Timescale), which brings together > 50 experts from 14 countries working towards a holistic understanding of the Early Jurassic.
The core tasks of the PhD project will be: 1) to examine the > 1,000 ammonites from the two drill cores, in conjunction with evidence from other sections, to refine the existing ammonite biochronology for the Early Jurassic; 2) to use the new high resolution macrofossil data and published literature to reconstruct faunal and floral migrations and biogeographical connections with other Early Jurassic seas, and; 3) to generate a dataset of C and O isotopes as well as key element concentrations in macrofossil carbonate for the entire succession.
This project will allow the candidate to develop skills for academic and industrial employment and offers collaboration potential with lead experts in the field of stratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental research.
Contact for Informal Enquiries:
Prof. Stephen P. Hesselbo: [email protected], Dr. Clemens V. Ullmann: [email protected], Dr. Kevin Page: [email protected]
Application Criteria:
Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 Honours degree and experience of relevant research at a Masters level, or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests.
Summary
Application deadline: 15th February 2017
Number of awards: 1
Value: 3.5 year studentship: UK/EU/International tuition fees and an annual maintenance allowance at current research council rate per year
Duration of award: per year
Contact: Postgraduate Research Office [email protected]
How to apply
To apply, complete the online form. You will be asked to submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter and details of two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.
You may also be asked to upload verified transcripts of your academic qualifications.
Interviews will be held in early March 2017.
Please quote reference 2552 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.
About the award
Location: University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE
Primary Supervisor: Prof. Stephen P. Hesselbo (University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines)
Secondary Supervisor: Dr. Kevin Page (Plymouth University); Dr. Clemens V. Ullmann (University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines)
Project description:
The Early Jurassic was a critical interval in Earth history, with important changes in plate tectonics, ocean chemistry, climate, flora, and fauna, leading the way to our modern Earth System. The aim of this project is to establish a new global standard of biostratigraphy, faunal migrations, and macrofossil-based geochemical parameters, using material from the Welsh Cardigan Bay Basin. Macrofauna will be used from an existing 1,300 m drillcore (‘Mochras A’) as well as a future equivalent core from the same area, drilling of which is planned for 2017 (funded by NERC and ICDP). The PhD student will contribute to the JET project (Integrated Understanding of Early Jurassic Earth System and Timescale), which brings together > 50 experts from 14 countries working towards a holistic understanding of the Early Jurassic.
The core tasks of the PhD project will be: 1) to examine the > 1,000 ammonites from the two drill cores, in conjunction with evidence from other sections, to refine the existing ammonite biochronology for the Early Jurassic; 2) to use the new high resolution macrofossil data and published literature to reconstruct faunal and floral migrations and biogeographical connections with other Early Jurassic seas, and; 3) to generate a dataset of C and O isotopes as well as key element concentrations in macrofossil carbonate for the entire succession.
This project will allow the candidate to develop skills for academic and industrial employment and offers collaboration potential with lead experts in the field of stratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental research.
Contact for Informal Enquiries:
Prof. Stephen P. Hesselbo: [email protected], Dr. Clemens V. Ullmann: [email protected], Dr. Kevin Page: [email protected]
Application Criteria:
Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 Honours degree and experience of relevant research at a Masters level, or equivalent.
If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information and a list of acceptable alternative tests.
Summary
Application deadline: 15th February 2017
Number of awards: 1
Value: 3.5 year studentship: UK/EU/International tuition fees and an annual maintenance allowance at current research council rate per year
Duration of award: per year
Contact: Postgraduate Research Office [email protected]
How to apply
To apply, complete the online form. You will be asked to submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter and details of two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project.
You may also be asked to upload verified transcripts of your academic qualifications.
Interviews will be held in early March 2017.
Please quote reference 2552 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.
