PhD studentship in sedimentary isotope geochemistry

PhD studentship in sedimentary isotope geochemistry 3 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants Direct message the job poster from Northumbria University Assistant Professor (Vice-Chancellor\’s Fellow) at Northumbria University Understanding how redox and hydrothermal conditions influenced ancient marine environments is essential for reconstructing environmental change and for explaining the formation of economically significant metal deposits. This PhD project will apply a multi-proxy geochemical approach—centred on vanadium, carbon, and nitrogen isotopes—to track redox evolution and hydrothermal influence in ancient sedimentary systems, with direct relevance to models of sedimentary-hosted ore deposit formation. Volcanism and hydrothermal activity in the geological past profoundly affected the global ocean system through perturbations in global biogeochemical cycles. These typically manifest as oceanic anoxic events, episodes of rapid climate change, and even mass extinction events. The driving mechanisms include trace metal loading, enhanced nutrient delivery, and the resulting feedback cycles which impact primary productivity and oxygen demand. This project will explore these links by focusing on marine sedimentary records influenced by both redox dynamics and hydrothermal metal inputs. Vanadium isotopes offer a novel and sensitive tool for tracking redox structure in ancient oceans. Their isotopic composition reflects redox cycling and interaction with hydrothermal fluids, making them ideal for assessing both oxygenation and hydrothermal metal fluxes. Carbon and nitrogen isotopes will complement this by reconstructing nutrient fluxes, primary productivity and organic carbon burial. Together, these proxies will ultimately be used to interpret the evolution of marine conditions and their role in shaping environments favourable to metal enrichment and ore formation. The student will focus on sedimentary sequences from the Selywn Basin, Canada, that preserve evidence of both redox variability and hydrothermal influence, particularly those associated with enriched vanadium, zinc, or lead concentrations. These archives offer an opportunity to address questions at the intersection of paleoenvironmental change, ocean chemistry, and economic geology. This project is part of the DFG-funded Priority ProgrammeSPP 2238 DOME(Dynamics of Ore-forming Environments), which supports interdisciplinary research into sedimentary ore-forming systems. The student will also be supervised by Dr Jack Longman (Northumbria University) and Dr Eva Stüeken (University of St Andrews) and part of an active international research network involving collaborators in the UK, Germany, and Canada. The student will: Characterise sediment samples using petrography, XRF, and ICP-MS. Measure carbon and nitrogen isotopes at the University of St Andrews (U.K.) using IRMS, targeting bulk sediments and kerogen. Isolate vanadium in clean lab conditions and conduct V isotope analyses at the Leibniz University Hannover (Germany) via MC-ICP-MS. Combine redox and hydrothermal indicators (e.g. Fe speciation, trace metals, REEs) with isotope data. Apply mass balance and biogeochemical box models to explore how redox and hydrothermal processes shaped biogeochemical cycles and ore-forming environments. Training and development will include: Advanced clean lab and geochemical analytical techniques Stable and non-traditional isotope mass spectrometry Sedimentological interpretation and fieldwork (where applicable) Biogeochemical modelling and data integration Scientific writing, publishing, and presentation skills Funding is available for attendance at major international conferences (e.g., Goldschmidt, AGU, EGU), as well as DOME network meetings and collaborative research visits. The student will be encouraged to publish their findings and contribute to interdisciplinary synthesis across the programme. The project is ideal for candidates with a background in Earth sciences, geochemistry, environmental science, or a related scientific field. Prior experience in laboratory geochemistry, sedimentology, or modelling is beneficial but not required—full training will be provided. Academic Enquiries This project is supervised by Dr Ashley N. Martin. For informal queries, please contact ashley.n.martin@northumbria.ac.uk . For all other enquiries relating to eligibility or application process please use the email form below to contact Admissions. Eligibility Requirements: •Academic excellence i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities with preference for 1st class honours); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement. •Applicants cannot apply if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere. Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship. ·Immigration Health Surchargehttps://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application ·If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application, otherwise your visa may be refused. ·Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be paid by the University. For further details on how to apply see In your application, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. NIHR/…). Deadline for applications: 31st July 2025 Start date of course: 1 October 2025 Northumbria University is committed to creating an inclusive culture where we take pride in, and value, the diversity of our postgraduate research students.We encourage and welcome applications from all members of the community.The University holds a bronze Athena Swan award in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality, we are a Disability Confident Leader, a member of the Race Equality Charter and are participating in the Stonewall Diversity Champion Programme.We also hold the HR Excellence in Research award for implementing the concordat supporting the career Development of Researchers and are members of the Euraxess initiative to deliver information and support to professional researchers. The studentship includes a full stipend at UKRI rates (for 2025/26 full-time study this is £20,780 per year) and full tuition fees (UK student rates). 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