Two three-years research projects in volcanology within the EU Marie Curie Initial Training Network VERTIGO at University of Perugia (IT)
************************************************************************************************
Dear colleagues,
we seek two highly-motivated, post-graduate candidates for two three-years research projects in volcanology within the EU Marie Curie Initial Training Network VERTIGO (www.vertigo-itn.eu).
The first project is titled ‘Numerical modeling and fractal analysis of magma fragmentation based on grain- size distributions of natural pyroclastic deposits.’
In recent years, the application of fractal techniques provided a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of magma fragmentation during explosive eruptions allowing deriving empirical relationships linking fragmentation efficiency and eruptive energy. A major objective of these studies is to furnish new tools for volcanic hazard assessment starting from the analysis of natural pyroclastic deposits. The project will investigate (1) the basic physical mechanisms acting in magma and leading to gas overpressure driven fragmentation and (2) how the amount of volcanic ash is related to the energy available for fragmentation, crystal content and vesicularity of the magma by applying fractal analysis. The project will compare natural deposits with experimental pyroclasts generated in well-constrained experiments. The project is expected to provide new high quality data about the mechanisms acting at magma fragmentation during explosive eruptions and will furnish crucial information for a deeper understanding of ash formation during the course of volcanic eruptions. This will allow a refined risk evaluation of densely populated volcanoes.
Supervisor: Diego Perugini (University of Perugia, IT); co-supervisors: Ulrich Kueppers (Ludwig Maximilian University, DE), Kai Düffels (RETSCH GmbH, DE).
The second project is titled ‘High-resolution geochemical mapping of volcanic ash: constraining the effect of syn-eruptive magma mixing on eruptive style and ash distribution.’
The refilling of a magma chamber by hotter and more mafic magma causes mixing between the resident and the incoming magma. This is one of the major processes associated with catastrophic volcanic eruptions on Earth. To date the influence of syn- eruptive magma mixing on the explosivity of volcanic eruptions and on ash production is poorly known. The project will quantify by EPMA and LA-ICP-MS microanalysis of major and trace elements the compositional heterogeneity of ash caused by syn-eruptive mixing to establish firm and quantitative constraints into the physical and chemical mechanisms associated with volcanic ash production. The study will be completed by comparing data from natural deposits and laboratory mixing experiments and numerical simulations. Results will also provide new constrains for the modeling of ash production and dispersion taking into account the density heterogeneity caused by syn-eruptive magma mixing.
Supervisor: Diego Perugini (University of Perugia, IT); co-supervisors: Jonathan Castro (Johannes Gutenberg University, DE), Antonio Costa (Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia).
Successful candidates will work at the Petro-Volcanology Research Group at the Department of Physics and Geology of University of Perugia (Italy).
Candidates from any nation may apply, pending a competition. However, they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their future host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. Eligible applicants must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research career, counted from the diploma that gives the rights to embark in a doctoral degree, have not yet obtained a PhD at the time of application, and should be proficient in English and demonstrate good written/oral skills. Note that PhD students do qualify as candidates and that a three-year PhD can be obtained from the University of Perugia pending a competition. The VERTIGO network is an Equal Opportunity educator and employer committed to recruiting, supporting and fostering a diverse community of outstanding students. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage the application of women.
To apply, send one PDF including your CV, a research statement, an academic transcript and contact information for 2 referees. The research statement should include a description of undergraduate research projects/studies undertaken as well as research interests for the future.
For application or further information please contact Diego Perugini (diego.perugini@xxxxxxxx).
Diego Perugini (PhD)
University of Perugia
Department of Physics and Geology
Piazza Università
06100 Perugia (Italy)
Tel.: +39 075 5852601
Mobile: +39 3286146450
Fax.: +39 075 5852603
Home Page: http://www.unipg.it/~diegop/
Volcano Listserv is a collaborative venture among Arizona State University (ASU), Portland State University (PSU), the Global Volcanism Program (GVP) of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, and the International Association for Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI).
ASU - http://www.asu.edu/ PSU - http://pdx.edu/ GVP - http://www.volcano.si.edu/ IAVCEI - http://www.iavcei.org/
To unsubscribe from the volcano list, send the message: signoff volcano to: listserv@xxxxxxx, or write to: volcano-request@xxxxxxx.
To contribute to the volcano list, send your message to: volcano@xxxxxxx. Please do not send attachments.
==============================================================
