PhD Student Position Available
Climatic and Environmental Impacts of Volcanic Eruptions: Early- to
mid-Holocene Explosive and Flood Lava Events in Iceland
Department of Earth Sciences, University of Iceland
INSTAAR & Dept of Geological Sciences, University of Colorado
School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh
Application Deadline: Friday, 15 August 2008
For further information, please contact:
Aslaug Geirsdottir
Email: age [at] hi.is
Please copy:
Gifford H. Miller
Email: gmiller [at] colorado.edu
And
Thor Thordarson
Email: Thor.Thordarson [at] ed.ac.uk
Applications are invited for a PhD scholarship in geochemical and
paleoclimatologic analysis of sediments and tephra in cores from lakes
in Iceland. The PhD scholarship is a part of a larger international and
multidisciplinary research program, VAST (Volcanism in the Arctic
SysTem: Magnitude, Geochronology, and Climate Impacts) that is focused
on paleoclimate changes and tephrochronology in the Arctic and is
supported by the Research Council of Iceland (RANNIS) and the National
Science Foundation (NSF). The PhD scholarship involves a 3-year research
project and will be hosted by the Department of Earth Sciences at the
University of Iceland, and also involves time at The University of
Colorado, Boulder and the University of Edinburgh.
The PhD project will target several early- to mid-Holocene events, (i.e.
~8.4 ka Thjorsa, and ~6.5 ka Tungna flood lava events, as well as two
Plinian eruptions in the time interval 7-10 ka) with the aim to
characterize key eruption parameters and assess their potential
environmental and climatic impacts. This will be achieved by (a)
estimating their volatile output using the petrologic method and (b)
analyzing Icelandic lake and Greenland ice cores to assess the
environmental and climatic impacts of stress signals from these
eruptions.
Collaborations between the University of Iceland (Professor Aslaug
Geirsdottir), the University of Colorado (Professor Gifford H. Miller),
and Edinburgh University (Professor Thor Thordarson) have produced a
collection of lake cores that contain one of the most complete Holocene
tephra records available from Iceland. Collectively, these cores offer
an ample opportunity for robust identification of all major
tephra-producing eruptions in postglacial time. Many of these tephra
layers are key stratigraphic markers in Iceland and across the North
Atlantic, and thus play a critical role in evaluating leads and lags
between marine and terrestrial environments.
The PhD project involves multidisciplinary studies on the products from
the above-mentioned eruptions in Iceland. Volcanological and
petrochemical studies include field mapping and systematic sampling of
the tephra layers. The samples from each event will be used to determine
the post- and pre-eruption volatile contents (H2O and CO2 S, Cl, and F
by micro- and ion-probe), whole-rock compositions (XRF) and glass and
phenocryst (micro-probe) major and trace element concentrations. The
petrochemical data will be used in conjunction with measurements of
physical properties to assess conduit processes and eruption intensities
and to determine the magmatic volatile budget for each event.
The project also involves examination of the paleoclimate record
preserved in lake sediment cores in Iceland with focus on collection and
analysis of both existing and new lake cores. Collection of cores will
be a team effort, but the candidate will be responsible for applying
conventional techniques as well as developing new, innovative approaches
for lake sediment studies. This includes description of lake and basin
characteristics, characterization of sediment-core lithology and
stratigraphy, and determining the sediment carbon, silica and nitrogen
contents.
The candidate will gain experience in multidisciplinary research and
international collaboration.
The PhD scholarship includes travel support for the PhD candidate to
work at all three institutions (in Iceland, USA and Scotland), as well
as visits to the LacCore Facility at the University of Minnesota, field
expeditions in Iceland, and international conferences.
The candidate must hold a Master's degree in one or more of the
following disciplines: geology, geochemistry, glacial geology,
volcanology, limnology and/or ecology; must have strong interest in
climate, volcanology, lacustrine processes, and geochemistry as well as
a proven background in conducting independent research, field and
laboratory work; and must also have good written and verbal
communication skills.
Applicants are requested to submit an application, in English, that
includes:
1) A short description of qualifications
2) A two-page research proposal related to the PhD topic described above
3) A curriculum vita that provides relevant academic, employment, and
personal details
4) Authorized transcripts of course work and authorized copies of
diplomas and university degrees, all translated into English
5) A list of publications, if available
6) Three letters of support from previous employers or supervisors
7) Evidence of English language competence
A committee will evaluate the applications and short-listed applicants
will be invited for an interview. The successful candidate is required
to apply for enrollment as a PhD student at the University of Iceland.
The starting date for this position is expected within six months.
The application marked "YourLastName.Summer2008" should be emailed, no
later than Friday, 15 August 2008, to:
Aslaug Geirsdottir
Email: age [at] hi.is
Please copy this email to:
Gifford H. Miller
Email: gmiller [at] colorado.edu
And
Thor Thordarson
Email: Thor.Thordarson [at] ed.ac.uk