The University of Texas Institute for Geophysics and the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences invite applications for a collaborative postdoctoral research position with the Earth Sciences Institute of Paris, Sorbonne University to study and model magma migration in a volcanic rift with observations from Afar, Ethiopia. The work will also be led in collaboration with the CRPG, CNRS and the University of Lorraine.

About the Position

The postdoctoral associate will work during 12 months on rifting and magma migration in the Earth’s lithosphere with a focus on Afar region. The ideal candidate will develop computational algorithms simulate melt migration in an extensional environment. The successful candidate will be tasked with integrating geologic and geophysical observations from Afar with the numerical models. The postdoctoral associate will be a part of a collaborative effort between UTIG and an ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche, ANR MAGMAFAR) at Sorbonne University in Paris. Upon successful completion of the 12-month assignment at UT Austin, the postdoc has an opportunity to complete an additional 6 months at the Earth Sciences Institute of Paris, Sorbonne University.

Scientific Project

Afar is presently experiencing the final stage of continental break-up and progressive onset of steady magmatic spreading, above the Afar mantle plume. It offers the unique opportunity to study both mantle and crustal processes, and will allow to decipher fundamental parameters that control the initiation of a divergent plate boundary. The MAGMAFAR project is designed to make a breakthrough into the key and first order fundamental scientific issue of continental break-up in magmatic context, and rift transition to the onset of Mid Oceanic Ridges (MOR). Through three ongoing PhD projects, we focus on: (i) how do magmatic and tectonic processes control the styles and morphologies of magmatic segments? what are the parameters responsible for the characteristics of proto, steady-state spreading processes? (ii) why and how do stable magma production and organized/focused transfer to the crust start and lead to break-up? The data acquired will be used to calibrate and discuss the numerical models conducted during the postdoctoral work.

Responsibilities

• Develop and run computational experiments of rift related melt production in the asthenosphere and the mantle plume and migration in the lithosphere.
• Synthetize and use various geological data (structural, petrological, geochemical, geophysical).
• Contribute to research within a vibrant group of students, postdocs, and researchers across UT and Sorbonne University.
• Publish/present results to the scientific community and broader public.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in geosciences, geophysics, computational geosciences, or a related field within the last three years.

Preferred Qualifications

Research experience with tectonophysics and geodynamics is preferred.

Salary Range

$65,000

Required Materials

Apply online at the UT Austin Staff Jobs website: R_00034352

Note: Current university employees must apply through MyWorkday: R_00034352 (requires UT EID).

Applications should include:

• Resume/CV including list of publications
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Two-page research statement.

Please contact Luc Lavier (luc@ig.utexas.edu) with questions about the position and application process.