Open Positions

We are looking for M.S. students, Doctoral Students and Postdoctoral Researchers! See below for open research topics!

Proposal for Master Thesis in structural geology, petrology, geochemistry and geochronology – from field- to the thin section scale

Structural Geology and Tectonics Group @ ETH Zurich

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Silvia Volante (email)

Co-supervisores: Prof. Dr. Whitney Behr (email)

To investigate complex collisional orogens earth scientists are challenged by the ability to interrogate the poorly preserved rock record through continuous development and application of novel, multi-scales, and interdisciplinary approaches. We combine structural and petrological field mapping together with a variety of in-situ microanalytical analyses.

Master projects can involve (the 1), 2), 3) components and those can be integrated as preferred by the student):

  1. Field-based thesis: 3D drone imaging combined with 2D structural and petrological mapping of metamorphic and deformed terranes to generate a 3D map of the studied area. 
  • Microstructures: microstructural analysis of deformed and metamorphosed rocks integrated with imaging using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mineral chemistry of major (e.g., garnet, mica) and accessory (e.g., monazite, zircon, rutile, titanite) minerals using the electron microprobe (EPMA) to study chemical and physical processes recorded at the thin section scale. 
  • Petrology-(Bulk-rock geochemistry)-Petrochronology: for this type of thesis the student will have to integrate thin section observations with geochronological and geochemical data. For this purpose, the laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (LA-ICP-MS) laboratory will be used. 

Potential M.S.c Projects localities*

  • Investigation of eclogite rheology by linking deformation and mineral reactions to type of mafic protolith, the Tauern Window(Eastern Alps)
  • Investigating mid to lower crustal rocks (amphibolite- to granulite felsic and mafic rocks) from an Archean accretionary orogen in SW Greenland

*For more detailed information on these projects, contact Silvia Volante (link)

Bachelor Theses in micro-structural and petro-analytical investigations 

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Silvia Volante    svolante@erdw.ethz.ch

Co-supervisor: Dr. Whitney Behr     whitney.behr@erdw.ethz.ch

Structural Geology and Tectonics  @ETH Zürich                                                          

To learn more about the geological rock record of old (Precambrian) and younger (Phanerozoic) complex collisional orogens such as the neighbouring Alps earth scientists are challenged by the ability to interrogate the deformed and metamorphosed rock record through the integration of multi-scales and interdisciplinary approaches. 

Bachelor projects involve:

  1. Microstructures: microstructural analysis of deformed and metamorphosed rocks integrated with mineral chemistry of major (e.g., garnet, mica) and accessory (e.g., monazite, zircon, rutile, titanite) minerals to study chemical and physical processes recorded at the thin section scale. 

Potential B.S.c Projects*

  • Micro-scale investigations of deformed rocks from the Archean Lewisian Gneiss Complex, NW Scotland
  • Microstructural analysis of gneisses from the Archean Nuuk region, SW Greenland: 
  • Micro-scale investigations of Alpine eclogite from the Tauern Window, eastern Alps 

*For more detailed information on these projects, contact Silvia Volante (link)

General Tasks

  • Literature review of the chosen topic 
  • Microanalytical investigations and data processing (optical microscope, electron micro probe analyser- EPMA / secondary electron microscope – SEM to acquire compositional maps of accessory and major minerals- LA-ICP-MS to acquire geochronology and geochemistry spot analyses on geochronometers)
  • Integration of acquired data and interpretations

Masters Theses in the Rock Deformation Laboratory

Structural Geology and Tectonics Group @ ETH Zurich

Primary Supervisor: Dr. Leif Tokle (email)

Co-supervisor: Prof. Dr. Whitney Behr

The goal of the rock deformation lab is to understand and constrain micromechanical processes and their application to large-scale tectonic processes such as plate boundary shear zones and planetary dynamics. To do this we conduct high pressure and temperature deformation experiments, together with a variety of microstructural analyses. Masters projects can involve characterizing mechanical relationships (flow laws), understanding the effect of secondary phases on the rheology of a polyphase rock, or understanding the influence of extrinsic and intrinsic variables (Temperature, pressure, stress, strain rate, fluid content, grain size) affect a minerals mechanical properties.

Potential M.S. Projects*

  • Developing a diffusion creep flow law for either muscovite or biotite
  • Effect of muscovite on the brittle-ductile transition in a micaceous quartzite
  • Effect of fluid chemistry on quartz-muscovite aggregates
  • Quantifying the viscous anisotropy of a foliated blueschist
  • Characterizing the effect of stress pulses (simulated earthquakes) on quartz microstructures

*For more detailed information on these projects, contact Leif Tokle.

General Tasks

-Conduct rock deformation experiments (trained by Leif Tokle)

-Microstructural analysis (petrographic and electron microscopy)

-Processing and integrating mechanical data