"PhD in Experimental Petrology and Isotope Geochemistry of Ancient Zircons"

Job Description

What was Earth like over four billion years ago? In this PhD project, you’ll use cutting-edge experiments and geochemical analyses to uncover the chemical signatures of the oldest surviving minerals on Earth – Hadean zircons – and shed new light on the origins of our planet.

The Earth’s earliest history, the Hadean eon, is largely lost to time. Since no rocks have survived from this period, scientists rely on three key sources of evidence to reconstruct it: numerical modelling, comparative planetology (using the Moon and Mars), and the study of ancient zircon crystals (ZrSiO₄) that formed more than four billion years ago. This project focuses on the latter.

In this PhD position, you will develop a new generation of experiments to systematically grow zircon crystals under tightly controlled conditions, varying factors such as pressure, temperature, water content and melt composition. These experiments will yield essential reference data to understand how zircon isotopes, particularly oxygen, zirconium and silicon, behave under early Earth-like conditions. You will then apply advanced analytical protocols to measure these isotopes using multi-collector ICP-MS techniques.

The ultimate goal? To reinterpret the global archive of Hadean zircons and offer new constraints on the physical and chemical environment of early Earth, including the atmosphere, crust, and even the potential for life. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team as part of the NWO-funded Pre-life consortium. This includes collaborations with leading scientists in early Earth studies and origins-of-life research, as well as access to workshops, training, and exchange opportunities across the Netherlands and abroad.

Your daily supervision will be provided by Dr. Edgar Steenstra (experimental petrology) and Dr. Pieter Vroon (geochemistry and isotope analysis), and you’ll be part of a vibrant and international research community at TU Delft’s Department of Geoscience & Engineering.

Job Requirements

• You hold a Master’s degree in Earth sciences, physics, astronomy, or a related field.
• You have a strong interest in geochemistry, experimental petrology and/or planetary science.
• You are skilled in analytical techniques and confident working with quantitative data.
• Experience with high-temperature experiments and/or (MC-)ICP-MS is a strong plus.
• You’re curious, self-motivated, and eager to tackle complex scientific questions.
• You thrive in an interdisciplinary, international research environment.
• You communicate clearly in English, both in writing and speaking.
• You are committed to publishing your results and engaging with the scientific community.

Conditions of Employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3059 per month in the first year to €3881 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School.