[20110901] PhD position in experimental mineral physics, Toulouse, France

Rheology of polyphase rocks at upper mantle pressures and temperatures

The experimental mineral physics group at the Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France, invites applications for a 3-year PhD position in a research project entitled “Rheology of the upper mantle – stress and strain partitioning in polyphase rocks experimentally deformed at high pressure and temperature”. The aim of the project is to provide constraints on mantle rheology by deforming mantle analogues at the pressures and temperatures of the upper mantle in a D-DIA apparatus. The deformation experiments will be performed on a synchrotron line (NSLS, Brookhaven National Lab, NY), allowing in situ measurements of stress and strain by X-ray diffraction and radiography. The project involves experimental work with high-pressure high-temperature apparatus and other experimental equipment (e.g. D-DIA, piston-cylinder, spark plasma sintering, controlled-atmosphere high-temperature furnaces), and microscopic and analytical work (e.g. electron microscopy, microprobe, infrared spectroscopy).

Our team belongs to the Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP, part of the Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées), and is part of a larger group composed of experimentalists and geophysicists studying the structure and dynamics of the Earth and planetary interiors (Géophysique Planétaire et Plasmas Spatiaux, GPPS). It has strong interactions with geologists and petrologists in Toulouse and with other mineral physics groups around the world. We seek highly motivated candidates with a MSc degree (or equivalent) in geosciences, physics or material sciences, and with a strong interest for Earth and planetary sciences. Experience in laboratory, programming and/or analytical work is a plus, as well as a solid background in solid state physics/chemistry. Very good language skills in either English or French are required. The student will be based in Toulouse, France, but frequent travel to the US is expected. The position is funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR), is offered for three years, and will remain open until filled (tentative starting date: September 2011). All applications (including a cover letter, Curriculum Vitae, copies of scientific degrees, and names and contact information of referees) should
be sent to both Misha Bystricky (bystricky(at)lmtg.obs-mip.fr) and Frédéric Béjina (bejina(at)lmtg.obs-mip.fr)

For more information, contact:

Misha Bystricky; bystricky(at)lmtg.obs-mip.fr; tel: +33 5 61 33 26 34
Frédéric Béjina; bejina(at)lmtg.obs-mip.fr; tel: +33 5 61 33 26 01
IRAP, Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées, 14 av. E. Belin, 31400 Toulouse, France

GPPSwebsite: http://www.irap.omp.eu/index.php/eng/recherche/research-groups/gpps-en
IRAP website: http://www.irap.omp.eu/index.phpeng/irap
Observatoire Midi-Pyrénées website: http://www.obs-mip.fr/
Information about student life in Toulouse: http://www.ups-tlse.fr (in french)