PhD opening in planetary physical volcanology

One PhD opening is available for the CRUSLID ERC project based in Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, France, starting on October 1^st, 2021. CRUSLID aims at determining the present-day nature and structure of the crust and the physical and geological processes leading to crust formation and evolution on stagnant-lid planets.

During this PhD, we will investigate the link between impact cratering and magmatism. On the terrestrial planets exhibiting no plate tectonics, volcanic emissions are indeed often observed within impact craters which consist, in a simplified way, in circular unloadings that can help magma ascent in the underlying elastic medium (Michaut and Pinel, GRL 2018). To understand the properties of the crust and magma and the lithospheric stress state that could have led to observed volcanic deposits at the surface of the terrestrial planets, we will combine mechanical models of magma ascent below craters to the analysis of available remote-sensing observations on the terrestrial planets (the Moon, Mars, and possibly and Venus, Mercury).

This is a 3yr-PhD (36 months).

Candidates should hold a master degree in fundamental Earth and Planetary Sciences or Physics. In particular, he/she should have an excellent background in continuum mechanics (elasticity and fluid dynamics), physics and maths in general, as well as in Earth and planetary sciences. He/she should have good skills in programming and computing. Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory.

The application should be adressed to Pr. Chloé Michaut (chloe.michaut@ens-lyon.fr) and will include a CV, names of references, a motivation letter, including specific interests and prior experience in areas related to the PhD. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. 

Please mention in your application the website or mailing list where you found the offer and the reference PhD1crater-CRUSLID.