Interested in working with me? Here are some opportunities!
Available PhD Projects
Enhancing exploration of energy transition metals: directly dating mineralization in the Yukon Territory, Canada
Applications are invited for a fully-funded three-year PhD to commence in October 2022.
The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science & Health, and will be supervised by Dr Catherine Mottram, Dr James Darling (University of Portsmouth), Dr Dawn Kellett (Geological Survey of Canada) and Dr Patrick Sack (Yukon Geological Survey).
Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£15,609 for 2021/22). Bursary recipients will also receive an annual contribution of £1,500 per year towards consumables, conference, project or training costs.
The work on this project involves:
Project description
In this exciting industry and government- supported PhD project you will get the opportunity to explore how, when and why metals critical to the energy transition are concentrated in the crust. The transition to low or zero carbon economies is essential for a sustainable future for our planet. To meet demand for new technologies and green energy solutions, supply of energy transition and critical metals (e.g. Cu, Mo, Li, REEs) must increase rapidly. These important metals concentrate in hydrothermal fluids and magmas within the Earth’s crust. To develop predictive models for mineral systems it is imperative to understand when the mineralizing fluids were active, what the geodynamic setting was during mineralization, and how fluid sources have evolved through time. This project will utilize innovative new technologies for carbonate U-Pb geochronology that can provide this knowledge, and will work with partners at the Geological Survey of Canada, Yukon Geological Survey and mining and exploration companies to refine understanding of world-class porphyry and epithermal ore deposits.
The project aims to understand the tectonic controls on mineralization in the mountains of north-western Canada. The project will involve industry and government-supported field work in central Yukon, including work experience at mineral exploration camps, cutting-edge laboratory work at the University of Portsmouth and opportunities to present the project results at international conferences.
This project will contribute to our understanding of when, how and why metals concentrate in the crust. Findings will be applicable not only in the Yukon, but throughout the Arctic and worldwide; increasing the efficiency of exploration and lessening the impact on the environment and local communities. You will develop transferable applications and models for similar mineral deposits (containing critical metals and other metals that are key to the energy transition) and improve resource security worldwide.
For more information and to apply visit: findaphd.com
The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science & Health, and will be supervised by Dr Catherine Mottram, Dr James Darling (University of Portsmouth), Dr Dawn Kellett (Geological Survey of Canada) and Dr Patrick Sack (Yukon Geological Survey).
Candidates applying for this project may be eligible to compete for one of a small number of bursaries available. Successful applicants will receive a bursary to cover tuition fees for three years and a stipend in line with the UKRI rate (£15,609 for 2021/22). Bursary recipients will also receive an annual contribution of £1,500 per year towards consumables, conference, project or training costs.
The work on this project involves:
- An exciting opportunity to conduct geological fieldwork in the Yukon, northern Canada in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Canada, the Yukon Geological Survey and Canadian exploration mining companies.
- Hands-on experience working with industry on mineral exploration targets, and getting experience working in mining exploration camps in the Yukon.
- Solving important problems of how and when metals critical for the energy transition concentrate in the Earth’s crust.
Project description
In this exciting industry and government- supported PhD project you will get the opportunity to explore how, when and why metals critical to the energy transition are concentrated in the crust. The transition to low or zero carbon economies is essential for a sustainable future for our planet. To meet demand for new technologies and green energy solutions, supply of energy transition and critical metals (e.g. Cu, Mo, Li, REEs) must increase rapidly. These important metals concentrate in hydrothermal fluids and magmas within the Earth’s crust. To develop predictive models for mineral systems it is imperative to understand when the mineralizing fluids were active, what the geodynamic setting was during mineralization, and how fluid sources have evolved through time. This project will utilize innovative new technologies for carbonate U-Pb geochronology that can provide this knowledge, and will work with partners at the Geological Survey of Canada, Yukon Geological Survey and mining and exploration companies to refine understanding of world-class porphyry and epithermal ore deposits.
The project aims to understand the tectonic controls on mineralization in the mountains of north-western Canada. The project will involve industry and government-supported field work in central Yukon, including work experience at mineral exploration camps, cutting-edge laboratory work at the University of Portsmouth and opportunities to present the project results at international conferences.
This project will contribute to our understanding of when, how and why metals concentrate in the crust. Findings will be applicable not only in the Yukon, but throughout the Arctic and worldwide; increasing the efficiency of exploration and lessening the impact on the environment and local communities. You will develop transferable applications and models for similar mineral deposits (containing critical metals and other metals that are key to the energy transition) and improve resource security worldwide.
For more information and to apply visit: findaphd.com
Available MRes masters research projects
MRes projects in Economic Geology
We currently have several industry-supported Master of Research (MRes) projects available to study the origins and evolution of gold mineralisation. These 12-month (full time) projects will work closely with industry partners on active exploration targets, with companies providing data, samples and research funding. Students will gain experience in both advanced research techniques and modern mineral exploration activities.
Orogenic gold petrogenesis and prospectivity of the Bibemi region of northern Cameroon.
Supervisors: Catherine Mottram, James Darling, and Craig Storey (University of Portsmouth) and Iain Stobbs, Abdoul Mbodji and Claire Bay (Oriole Resources Plc). Contact catherine.mottram@port.ac.uk or james.darling@port.ac.uk
One projects are available, both working closely with Oriole Resources PLC to study orogenic gold mineralisation in the Neoproterozoic Central African Fold Belt of Northern Cameroon. These aim to describe and compare mineralisation and alteration styles between gold-bearing veins across four main prospects in the Bibemi region. This will focus on petrological analysis, as well as microstructural and microchemical analysis using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation ICP-MS. Please click here to download a more detailed project description.
Timing of brittle deformation of the Alps revealed by direct U-Pb dating of calcite
Supervisors: Catherine Mottram, James Darling and Randall Parrish. Contact catherine.mottram@port.ac.uk
The overall aim of the project is to develop and implement the new U-Pb calcite dating technique and use it to directly-date (recent and on-going) tectonic processes within the Helvetic-Jura section of the northern Alps. The student will characterise and analyse previously collected samples from the Swiss and French Alps. Samples will be carefully characterised and dated at the University of Portsmouth’s state-of-the-art petrological and geochronological laboratory facilities using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Cathodoluminescence, laser mapping, and U-Pb dating using cutting-edge Laser Ablation-Inductively-Coupled-Plasma-Mass-Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) facilities. The student will be embedded within the Crustal Evolution Group under the supervision of Dr Catherine Mottram, Professor Randy Parrish, and Dr James Darling. This project will provide an excellent opportunity for outstanding training in analytical geochemistry and field geology alongside a supervisory team of world-leading geochronologists.
The results of this innovative study will provide detailed quantitative data on the rates and timing of brittle upper crustal deformation within the northern Alps for the first time. This has wider implications for how stress associated with mountain building is accommodated by folding and faulting. This is particularly relevant, as major seismic hazards are often caused by upper crustal faulting processes in many orogenic systems.
For more information about our MRes programme please see this website:
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for further information about these opportunities.
We currently have several industry-supported Master of Research (MRes) projects available to study the origins and evolution of gold mineralisation. These 12-month (full time) projects will work closely with industry partners on active exploration targets, with companies providing data, samples and research funding. Students will gain experience in both advanced research techniques and modern mineral exploration activities.
Orogenic gold petrogenesis and prospectivity of the Bibemi region of northern Cameroon.
Supervisors: Catherine Mottram, James Darling, and Craig Storey (University of Portsmouth) and Iain Stobbs, Abdoul Mbodji and Claire Bay (Oriole Resources Plc). Contact catherine.mottram@port.ac.uk or james.darling@port.ac.uk
One projects are available, both working closely with Oriole Resources PLC to study orogenic gold mineralisation in the Neoproterozoic Central African Fold Belt of Northern Cameroon. These aim to describe and compare mineralisation and alteration styles between gold-bearing veins across four main prospects in the Bibemi region. This will focus on petrological analysis, as well as microstructural and microchemical analysis using techniques such as scanning electron microscopy and laser ablation ICP-MS. Please click here to download a more detailed project description.
Timing of brittle deformation of the Alps revealed by direct U-Pb dating of calcite
Supervisors: Catherine Mottram, James Darling and Randall Parrish. Contact catherine.mottram@port.ac.uk
The overall aim of the project is to develop and implement the new U-Pb calcite dating technique and use it to directly-date (recent and on-going) tectonic processes within the Helvetic-Jura section of the northern Alps. The student will characterise and analyse previously collected samples from the Swiss and French Alps. Samples will be carefully characterised and dated at the University of Portsmouth’s state-of-the-art petrological and geochronological laboratory facilities using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Cathodoluminescence, laser mapping, and U-Pb dating using cutting-edge Laser Ablation-Inductively-Coupled-Plasma-Mass-Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) facilities. The student will be embedded within the Crustal Evolution Group under the supervision of Dr Catherine Mottram, Professor Randy Parrish, and Dr James Darling. This project will provide an excellent opportunity for outstanding training in analytical geochemistry and field geology alongside a supervisory team of world-leading geochronologists.
The results of this innovative study will provide detailed quantitative data on the rates and timing of brittle upper crustal deformation within the northern Alps for the first time. This has wider implications for how stress associated with mountain building is accommodated by folding and faulting. This is particularly relevant, as major seismic hazards are often caused by upper crustal faulting processes in many orogenic systems.
For more information about our MRes programme please see this website:
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for further information about these opportunities.
Visiting students
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I love hosting visiting students at the University of Portsmouth, we commonly have visitors from all over the world, including Brazil, Canada, China as well as UK students and researchers.
Please email me if you are interested in conducting a collaborative research visit at the UoP in our geochronology labs! |
Recent visiting students
Bruna Ricardo, University of São Paulo
Using petrochronology to understand the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Curitiba Domain, Ribeira Belt, SE Brazil
Manuela Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro State University
Application of Sm-Nd-Sr isotopes, lithogeochemistry and U-Pb geochronology on the sedimentary provenance of the Resende Basin, Rio de Janeiro
Ben Harris, University of Cambridge (now University of Edinburgh)
Decoding the Ptarmigan Fiord Thrust Imbricate Zone, Baffn Island, Arctic Canada
Bruna Ricardo, University of São Paulo
Using petrochronology to understand the tectonometamorphic evolution of the Curitiba Domain, Ribeira Belt, SE Brazil
Manuela Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro State University
Application of Sm-Nd-Sr isotopes, lithogeochemistry and U-Pb geochronology on the sedimentary provenance of the Resende Basin, Rio de Janeiro
Ben Harris, University of Cambridge (now University of Edinburgh)
Decoding the Ptarmigan Fiord Thrust Imbricate Zone, Baffn Island, Arctic Canada
