Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Geoscience programme. The position is available from May 2025 or later.
Title:
CO2 mineralisation in basaltic ash: A petrographic and geochemical study
Research area and project description:
Candidates are invited to apply for a PhD position focused on carbon mineralisation in the frame of Carbon-Dioxide Removal (CDR) technologies. The position is fully funded by the Danish Research Council.
Geochemical conversion of atmospheric CO2 into stable carbonate minerals (CO2-mineralisation) has balanced CO2-emissions from volcanoes and stabilized the greenhouse effect on Earth for billions of years. However, the anthropogenic CO2 emissions exceed by far those from volcanoes and the global society needs now to both rapidly reduce emissions and permanently remove CO2 that is already part of the atmospheric carbon cycle. Accelerating the natural process of CO2-mineralisation is an attractive pathway, but necessitates labile silicate materials to maximize its efficiency. Our objective is to explore the potential for large-scale CDR in Denmark through geochemical CO2-mineralsation in the volcanic ash deposits of the Danish subsurface.
Unlocking this potential requires to investigate the following research questions, which are at the core of this PhD project:
- What are dissolution rates of the basaltic ash and associated basaltic rocks, and how do they vary with composition, crystallinity, and alteration state?
- What is the origin of the carbonates that precipitate naturally in basaltic ash and rocks, and what can this tell us about the timing, processes, and locations of precipitation?
The tasks of the PhD student will be the following:
- Take part in collaborative fieldwork campaigns in Denmark and the Faeroe Islands
- Prepare samples for petrographic analyses
- Perform microscopic petrographic analyses with polarized light and cathodo-luminescence microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and micro-XRF analyses.
- Perform laboratory experiments of rock dissolution and carbonate precipitation, and monitor these changes using elemental and isotopic proxies.
- Present and discuss results at conference
- Publish scientific results in international peer-reviewed journals
The PhD student will be part of a larger research group working with industry partners on different aspects of CO2-mineralisation.
For technical reasons, you must upload a project description. When - as here - you apply for a specific project, please simply copy the project description above, and upload it as a PDF in the application. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have a relevant Master’s degree (or at least one year of a Master’s degree to be qualified for a 4+4 years PhD scheme), with solid background in mineralogy, petrography, and geochemistry.
Willingness to perform laboratory work, ability to perform fieldwork, and good communication skills in English (both oral and written) is necessary. Excellent interpersonal skills and an open attitude to interdisciplinary research is expected.
Furthermore, having one or more of the following qualifications would be advantageous:
- Previous experience in microscopic petrographic analyses (on silicates and/or carbonates)
- Previous experience with geochemical laboratory experiments
- Being acquainted with the theme of Carbon Dioxide Removal
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Department of Geoscience,
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact:
Associate Professor Stéphane Bodin, stephane.bodin@geo.au.dk
Professor Christian Tegner, christian.tegner@geo.au.dk
Professor David Lundbek Egholm, egholm@geo.au.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 December 2024)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
