Funding

Competition funded (UK/EU and international students)

Project code

ELS50930127

Department

School of the Environment and Life Sciences

Start dates

October 2027

Application deadline

15 January 2027

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in October 2027.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health, and will be supervised by Dr Hugo Moreira and Professor Craig Storey. 

Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£21,805 for 2026/27). Bursary recipients will also receive a £1,500 for consumables, conference, project or training costs.

Costs for student visa and immigration health surcharge are not covered by this bursary. For further guidance and advice visit our international and EU students ‘Visa FAQs’ page.

This funded PhD is only open to new students who do not hold a previous doctoral level qualification.

The work on this project could involve:

  • Working on the development of analytical protocols using new femtosecond laser ablation and mass spectrometer system to acquire volatile composition in apatite.
  • Applying developing methods to apatite inclusions in zircon from a range of magmatic samples across different tectonic settings.
  • Pioneering the understanding of tectono-volatile cycle in the early-earth retrieved from the information obtained in ancient apatite inclusions in zircon.
     

Plate tectonics exerts a first order control on Earth’s volatile cycles and habitability. Atmospherically altered surface materials are recycled to the mantle via subduction, while volatiles from the mantle are liberated to the atmosphere via volcanism. This cycle regulates much of Earth’s climate, ocean levels and metallogenetic processes within the continental crust. However, it is uncertain when the balance between volatile cycles and plate tectonics started to operate on Earth. This PhD offers a unique approach using novel techniques that simultaneously measures volatile and elemental contents in apatite inclusions shielded in zircon grains to try and characterise the Earth’s volatile cycle in key tectonic settings. The evidence for Earth's volatile evolution using inclusions trapped in zircons will then be applied to magmas that crystallised more than 3 billion years ago, shedding light into the development of plate tectonics on Earth.

Entry requirements

You'll need a good first degree from an internationally recognised university (minimum upper second class or equivalent, depending on your chosen course) or a Master’s degree in an appropriate subject. In exceptional cases, we may consider equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications. English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

We’re looking for someone who is excited to work with rocks and accessory minerals. You'll need a degree in Geology, Geology Engineering, Geosciences or Earth Sciences, experience with igneous, metamorphic petrology and geochemistry. You should have an interest in analytical work (training will be provided).

How to apply

We'd encourage you to contact Dr Hugo Moreira ([email protected]) to discuss your interest before you apply, quoting the project code.

When you are ready to apply, please use this online application form. Make sure you submit a personal statement, proof of your degrees and grades, details of two referees, proof of your English language proficiency and an up-to-date CV. Our ‘How to Apply’ page offers further guidance on the PhD application process.

If you want to be considered for this funded PhD opportunity you must quote project code ELS50930127 when applying. Please note that email applications are not accepted.