An exciting and new international research collaborative project seeks:
A research fellow to be located at the School of Earth Sciences, Melbourne University.

The candidate should have experience in characterising physical and chemical relationships between organics and metals in a) organic-rich sediments, b) sedimentary ore deposits or c) similar metalliferous and organic-rich systems (e.g., associated with hydrothermal vents). The Fellow would work as part of a cross-disciplinary research team under the CSIRO Minerals Systems Flagship Cluster (also involving Curtin University as lead, Australian National University, and University of Western Australia) on problems at the interface of organic geochemistry and mineralogy. Experience in transmission electron microscopy and microanalysis, ion microprobe/TOF/protein mass spectrometry, or synchrotron-based spectroscopic techniques, or an organic geochemist with macro to nano-scale analytical experience/ field expereince would also be considered.

The aim of this research is to develop our understanding of possible metal-organic interactions for enhanced metal recoveries in Au, Cu, Pb-Zn and U enriched mineral systems. Potential outcomes of this project include: development of new methodologies for characterising the state and structure of metals and minerals in organic-rich settings; a better understanding of organic-inorganic interactions in mineralizing systems; and identification of appropriate organic, inorganic and isotopic data for field validation and incorporation into thermodynamic modelling. The position will run for three years.

Applications should include a CV with contact details of at least two referees. Please send all materials as a single PDF file to jmoreau@unimelb.edu.au, to whom questions may also be addressed. Applications are being reviewed currently.

The research fellow could also be appointed at Curtin University or the University of Western Australia. Please send email CV with contact details of at least two referees to K.Grice@curtin.edu.au.