Fully-funded PhD position examining links between large igneous provinces and mass extinctions

We seek candidates for a PhD position examining magma transport, crustal heating, and carbon release during emplacement of the Ferrar large igneous province in Antarctica. Working as a member of a multi-institutional project, the student will conduct an investigation into the links between large igneous province magmatism and the release of extinction-level crustal carbon stores in Earth's past. To achieve this, the candidate will be expected to conduct the following over the course of their research:

1. Field work in South Victoria Land, Antarctica, collecting country rock samples for paleomagnetic paleothermometry and petrographic analyses of altered organic carbon.
2. Laboratory analyses on the collected samples to understand the magnitude of heating and organic carbon release associated with Ferrar LIP sill emplacement. Analyses will be performed at laboratories at the University of Otago (New Zealand) and University of Queensland (Australia).
3. Numerical simulations of LIP intrusion emplacement, heating, and crustal carbon release, using a recently developed code.

Candidates will ideally hold a Masters degree and background in field geology and volcanonolgy or igneous petrology. Experience or a keen interest in rock magnetism, large igneous province emplacement, and/or numerical modeling of igneous processes is also preferred.

All applicants will need to send (1) a CV, (2) a brief letter explaining your relevant previous experiences and research interests (one page maximum), and (3) contact details of two referees, all compiled into a single PDF document. Please email these to James Muirhead (j.muirhead@auckland.ac.nz), and title your email with your surname and "Antarctic PhD application"