PhD Position in Experimental Petrology – Formation of Mercury’s Crust

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, within the Science and Technology Group at KU Leuven, is a department with 38 full-time professors, about 240 researchers and 24 full-time administrative and technical staff.
The main mission of the Department is to conduct high quality scientific research on the functioning of geo- and ecosystems at different temporal and spatial scales, including human-environment interactions and the sustainable management of natural resources.
The members of the Department provide high quality education in the fields of bioengineering, geography, geology and tourism. The Department aims to play a major role in societal issues such as environmental pollution, food production, climate change, forest, green and nature management, soil and water management, subsoil exploitation, urban and rural issues, development cooperation and tourism.

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Project

We invite applications for a fully funded PhD position at KU Leuven to investigate the role of mantle melting in the formation of Mercury’s crust. This project is part of an ERC-funded initiative and will involve high-pressure, high-temperature experimental petrology to simulate melting conditions relevant to Mercury’s interior.

Scientific Background

• Mercury is a unique planetary body with an unusually large metallic core and a silicate mantle depleted in FeO. Its surface is dominated by volcanic plains formed early in its history, but the origin and evolution of these magmas remain poorly understood. Recent geochemical data from NASA’s MESSENGER mission suggest that Mercury's magmas were produced under highly reducing conditions and derived from a mantle with unusual composition. Understanding the melting behavior of Mercury’s mantle is essential to constrain the petrogenesis of its crust and the thermal and chemical evolution of the planet.

Project Description

• The PhD student will perform controlled high-pressure experiments to simulate partial melting of Mercury-like mantle compositions under reducing conditions. The results will be used to constrain melting phase equilibria, melt compositions, and crystallization sequences. This work will be integrated into a broader effort to understand the evolution of Mercury through time.

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Offer

We seek a motivated and enthusiastic candidate with a strong background in geology, petrology, planetary science, or a related field. Prior experience with laboratory techniques (e.g. experimental petrology, SEM/EPMA analysis) is an asset but not mandatory. A good command of English (spoken and written) is required.
Division of Geology

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Olivier Namur, tel.: +32 16 37 65 38, mail: [email protected].

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