[ES_JOBS_NET] PhD Position (Fully Funded) in Erosion, weathering and the carbon cycle

Fri Feb 5 06:48:17 MST 2016

 *PhD project: Carbon dioxide emissions by the weathering of rock-derived
organic carbon*

We invite applicants for a *fully-funded* PhD project as part of the
European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grant “ROC-CO2: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
emissions by rock-derived organic carbon oxidation” led by Dr. Bob
Hilton, *Durham
University, United Kingdom* (please see the project webpage
www.ROC-CO2.weebly.com).

*Scientific context:* The global carbon cycle controls Earth’s climate by
the emission and drawdown of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. One
of the major sources of CO2 is the oxidation of organic carbon contained in
sedimentary rocks during chemical weathering. Since the industrial
revolution, this flux has been accelerated by burning fossil fuels.
However, the natural rates of CO2 emission by rock-derived organic carbon
oxidation are poorly constrained. To better quantify a major geological CO2
source, this PhD project will use state-of-the-art geochemical proxies of
chemical weathering (e.g. the trace element rhenium) applied to the
products of weathering found in soils and carried by rivers. The student
will use samples from river catchments which span large gradients in
physical erosion rate, temperature, and metamorphic grade, in North America
and New Zealand. S/he will investigate the rates of reactions in weathering
experiments.

*PhD Doctoral Training:* The student will receive specialist training in
field sample collection and geochemical methods (e.g. preparation for
analyses by column exchange chemistry, trace element analysis by ICP-MS,
carbon isotopes by EA-IRMS and AMS). The student will also be enrolled in a
graduate training programme at Durham, gaining transferable skills. S/he
will attend national and international conferences (e.g. AGU, San
Francisco), networking events and outreach activities. The Department of
Geography was recently ranked 1st in the United Kingdom based on Research
Power (REF 2014) and has a large and vibrant postgraduate community, with
regular seminars and paper discussion groups. Durham is a wonderful
historical city, within easy reach of regions of outstanding natural beauty
including the North York Moors and Northumberland National Parks and
Hadrian’s Wall.

*Financial Support & Eligibility:* The PhD studentship will provide 3 years
of funding through a tax-free maintenance grant of €19,700 per annum
(£15,000 per annum pending confirmation), with payment of tuition fees. The
ERC project will provide access to extensive research support funding.  The
project is open to UK, EU and international students. A 1st or 2.1 class
Honours undergraduate degree (or equivalent) is required by the start date.
Applicants with a Master’s degree (MSci, or MSc or equivalent) in the area
of geomorphology and/or geochemistry and/or Earth Sciences are encouraged.
Further evidence for outstanding academic pedigree will be welcomed (e.g.
academic prizes, theses, publications).

*To apply:* Please send the following documentation by email to
geog.pgadmissions at durham.ac.uk with the reference “ERC-HILTON”, by the
deadline of ***1st March 2016*** (5pm GMT): 1) A current CV; 2) A cover
letter (2 pages A4 max) which describes your motivation for applying for
the project and your previous research experience; 3) Letters from two
references (these can be sent directly to geog.pgadmissions at durham.ac.uk by
referees if preferred); 4) Transcripts of your previous qualifications.

Your application will be reviewed and shortlist for interview. Interviews
are planned to take place in the weeks of the 7th and 14th March 2016.
Applicants will be notified if they are successful by 31st March 2016. The
candidate will start in September/October 2016. If you have any questions
about the project, please get in touch with Dr. Bob Hilton (
r.g.hilton at durham.ac.uk).

*____________________________*

*Dr. Robert Hilton*

Reader in Earth Surface Geochemistry

Department of Geography

Durham University

South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

*Office:* 00 44 0191 33 41970

*Web:* RGHilton
<https://www.dur.ac.uk/geography/staff/geogstaffhidden/?id=7667> |*Twitter:*
@geoCcycle <https://twitter.com/geoCcycle>
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