PhD opportunities at the University of Geneva, Switzerland

The Mineralogy Department of the Section of Earth Sciences, University of Geneva, requests applications from candidates to fill a PhD position to investigate orogenic/intrusion-related gold deposits in the Eastern Cordillera of Peru (project 1). The project is funded for a period of 3 years (with a possible extension to 4 years) by the Swiss National Foundation for Scientific Research. We invite people with a MSc., a Diploma, a high ranking BSc. (hons; 1st class or 2-1), or an equivalent degree in Earth Sciences, to apply. Potential candidates must be able to communicate in English, knowledge of colloquial French and some Spanish would be an advantage. Candidates can commence their projects at any time starting 1st April, 2007. For more detailed descriptions see http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/admin/terre_pos.html

The University of Geneva, as part of the ELSTE community (Earth Science sections of the Universities of Lausanne and Geneva), offers state-of-the-art analytical facilities for fluid inclusion studies, mineral identification (XRD, Raman, EMP), bulk and in-situ geochemistry (XRD, EMP, LA-ICP-MS), isotope geochemistry and geochronology (Q-ICP-MS, TIMS, noble gas MS, stable isotope MS), and rock imaging (SEM, X-ray tomography). For more detailed descriptions see http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/mineral/
Applications (including a CV, a list of referees, and a statement about your career plan) for project 1 are to be sent to Dr. Robertz Moritz (robert.moritz@terre.unige.ch).

Project 1:

GOLD DEPOSITS IN THE EASTERN ANDEAN CORDILLERA: A 800 KM-LONG INTRUSION-RELATED OR OROGENICGOLD DEPOSIT BELT? [Ce texte en français]

The aim of this project is to investigate intrusion-hosted and structurally controlled gold deposits in the Eastern Andean Cordillera of Peru. Two different genetic scenarios are generally proposed for such deposits: they are either interpreted to be linked to metamorphic devolatilization during orogenic processes, which would classify them as orogenic-mesothermal gold deposits or interpreted to be intimately linked to the immediate host or nearby/hidden magmatic intrusions.

The project will address three main topics: (1) the structural setting and the tectonic control of the gold deposits along the Eastern Andean Cordillera of Peru, (2) the timing of mineralization along this belt, and (3) the detremination of the composition of the fluids genetically associated with the gold deposition event and the P-T conditions during ore formation in different localities.

This project requires a multidisciplinary approach, including extensive fieldwork (lithological and structural mapping in diverse areas, including underground mines, remote mountainous areas as high as 4000 m asl), transmitted and reflected light petrography, fluid inclusion microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy, lithogeochemistry, radiogenic and stable isotope geochemistry, and radioisotopic dating (Ar/Ar, U-Pb). This project is designed for a candidate with an interest for ore deposits, experience in lithological and structural field mapping, core logging, and experience with different analytical techniques is an asset, since the project demands an affinity of the Ph.D. candidate for laboratory work. A good knowledge is expected in English, and the ability to communicate in French and Spanish would be an advantage.

This project is supported by several Peruvian mining companies, and is running in parallel with other Ph.D. projects of our Department on geochronology and magmatism in the Eastern Cordillera of Peru (http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/mineral/isotopes/min_isotopes.html & http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/admin/positions/postephd0701.html). Our University offers state-of-the-art analytical facilities (http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/mineral/).

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION: May 15th 2007.
START AND DURATION OF THE PROJECT: as soon as possible for 3 to 4 years.
SALARY: 36'700 Swiss Franks in the 1st year (Swiss National Science Foundation scholarship).

Candidates holding an M.Sc. degree, a high ranking B.Sc. (hons 1st class or 2-1) or an equivalent degree in Earth Sciences are kindly requested to SUBMIT their APPLICATION to Robert Moritz (see address below), including: (1) a curriculum vitae with a brief description of their professional and academic experience, (2) a copy of university degrees, (3) a short motivation explaining the interest for the research outlined above and their reason to undertake a Ph.D. study, (4) the names and addresses of two referees, and (5) the earliest date they can start the Ph.D. project.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dr. Robert Moritz, Section des Sciences de la Terre, University of Geneva, Rue des Maraichers 13, 1205 Geneva, SWITZERLAND. Phone: (++41 22) 379 66 33 or (++41 22) 379 66 24, Fax: (++41 22) 379 32 10, Robert.Moritz@terre.unige.ch. See http://www.unige.ch/sciences/terre/mineral/ore/min_ore.html for more information about Ore Deposit Research in Geneva (Relevant publications are Haeberlin et al., 2003, 2004).