Dear Colleagues, The Mineralogy-Petrology group at the Department of Geosciences of the University of Fribourg, Switzerland invites applications for two 4-year Ph.D. positions funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation. The PhD positions frame within the SNF-funded research project “Fluid circulation in mantle rocks: Insights from ophiolite sequences and 1.2 km of serpentinite drilled at the Atlantis Massif”. The overall aim of the project is to constrain the impact of alteration, magmatic, and microbial processes on the sulfur and carbon budget of seawater-exposed mantle rocks, to evaluate the links between magmatic, hydrothermal and biogenic processes, and to constrain the meteoric fluid input in continental sites of serpentinization. The first PhD project (Sulfur uptake in the shallow upper mantle) will mainly focus on seafloor drill cores recovered during IODP Exp. 399 to the Atlantis Massif and dredged serpentinites from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The work will center around the petrological and geochemical characterization of the sulfur phases and will include both bulk rock wet chemical methods and high resolution in situ techniques. The second PhD project (Organic and inorganic carbon distribution in peridotites) will be focused on the characterization of organic and inorganic carbon species in peridotites from the Mirdita ophiolite in Albania. This project will include field work, petrological and geochemical characterization of carbon species, and use bulk rock and in situ geochemical techniques. Candidates for both positions must hold a M.Sc. in Earth Sciences, geology, or mineralogy. The applicant should have very good knowledge of petrology, mineralogy, and geochemistry. Analytical experience with electron beam microanalysis (EPMA and/or SEM), as well as experience with mass spectrometric techniques is desirable. Very good English language skills are also required. To apply, please send the following by email: a one or two page cover letter highlighting your background and explaining your motivations of the application, a curriculum vitae, certificates, and names of at least two references and their contact information. Applications will be reviewed starting November 1st, 2024. However, the position will remain open until suitable candidates are found. Applications should be made via email in one single PDF file to Prof. Dr. Esther Schwarzenbach: esther.schwarzenbach@unifr.ch<mailto:esther.schwarzenbach@unifr.ch> Further details on the positions and the mineralogy-petrology group can be found at: https://www.unifr.ch/geo/mineralogy/en/ Kind regards, Esther Schwarzenbach ----------------------------------------------------- Esther Schwarzenbach Professor in Mineralogy Department of Geosciences University of Fribourg Chemin du Musée 6 CH - 1700 Fribourg/Freiburg Email: esther.schwarzenbach@unifr.ch Tel. +41 26 300 8989 https://www.unifr.ch/geo/mineralogy/en/