Download CENTRE FOR CRUSTAL PETROLOGY, DEPARTMENT OF

CENTRE FOR CRUSTAL PETROLOGY,
DEPARTMENT OF EARTH SCIENCES,
UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH.
2 Post-doctoral fellowships in
igneous/experimental/metamorphic
petrology
We are seeking two post-doctoral researchers to participate in research within any of the several broad research
themes listed below:
1. Anatectic recycling of the crust. This project will be focussed on the granulite facies metasediments
and peraluminous granitic rocks of the Araçuai orogeny in eastern Brazil and will involve field work in
Brazil and collaboration with several researchers at the universities of Ouro Preto and Belo Horizonte.
The main aims of this project will be to unravel the links between source rocks and plutons and to
develop an understanding of the magmatic and orogenic processes involved in building very large
batholiths sourced from metasedimentary rocks.
2. The creation and evolution of the Archaean continental crust. This project will be focussed on the
rocks of the Ancient Gneiss Complex and the Barberton granite greenstone terrane in South Africa and
Swaziland, as well as the Sao Francisco Craton, SE Brazil and will involve collaboration with Prof Cris
Lana and Dr Federico Farina at the University of Ouro Preto and Prof J-F Moyen at the University of St
Etienne. The project will aim to develop better constrained models for the genesis of the TTG and
granite magmas produced during several episodes of felsic magmatism recorded in these areas.
3. The petrogenesis of S and I-type granitic rocks. This project seeks to investigate the size and
frequency of magma batch additions to construct large plutons. A major part of the project will be
developing methods to identify magma batches within plutons. The project will be focussed on the
Cape Granite Suite which forms spectacularly beautiful outcrops along the coast of the Western Cape,
South Africa.
4. Metamorphism as a key to understanding Archaean geodynamic processes. This project aims to
use metamorphic information from rocks in Barberton and Swaziland to constrain the geodynamic
scenarios relevant to metamorphism in these rocks at 3.45, 3.23 and 3.10 Ga. Within this project there is
scope for both new metamorphic studies using a conventional metamorphic petrology approach as well
as for studies modelling crustal PT evolution as a consequence of orogeny that would seek to fit
geodynamic scenarios with PT path information produced by our earlier works in the region.
Stellenbosch University has an experimental petrology laboratory equipped with two non-end-loaded pistoncylinder rigs, a small volume internally heated Argon pressurised gas vessel. Thus, applications are welcome
from individuals seeking to use an experimental approach to research within any of these themes. The university
also has an excellent LA ICP MS facility with established U/Pb dating capabilities on zircon and monazite, as
well as XRF and electron beam facilities for major and trace element analysis of rocks and minerals. We have
established collaboration with Axel Gerdes’ laboratory in Frankfurt for LuHf analysis of zircon.
We seek candidates who are competent independent researchers, with relevant PhD experience, with good
communication skills, and with a track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals. The fellowships are for a
three year period, are tax-free and amount to R170 000 per annum. Please contact Gary Stevens (gs@sun. ac.za)
for further particulars. Further information about the Department is on our website http://www.sun.ac.za/geo
The positions will remain open until filled and evaluation of applications will begin on 15 November. To apply
please submit your CV to [email protected], please include a motivation explaining how your skills and experience
will allow you to contribute in the field of your choice.