Research Fellow in Structural Geology and Metamorphic Petrology

Research Fellow funded by IdEx Excellence Fellowships for Young Researchers 2025-2026

University of Côte d'Azur in Nice, Géoazur Research Institute

Bâtiment 1, 250 rue Albert Einstein, 06560 Valbonne

I'm Alessandro Petroccia, and my research focuses on the study of orogenic chains (Variscan and Alpine belts, the Oman Mountains, the China Orogenic belt, and the Tanzania Craton) from macro- to microscale, from low-grade metamorphism up to high-pressure and high-temperature conditions through space and time. 

I am interested in investigating the interactions between deformation and metamorphic processes, fluid-rock interaction, and reconstructing the exhumation mechanism, as well as the kinematic and tectonometamorphic evolution of polydeformed terranes, to unveil the processes responsible for the formation of orogens and reconstruct their geodynamics. 

To do so, I use multidisciplinary approaches and skills deriving from structural geology, metamorphic petrology and geochronology, including fieldwork, microstructural and petrological analyses (forward, conventional and iterative thermodynamic modelling) coupled with in-situ geochronology with the aid of electron probe micro-analyser (EPMA), Micro-CT tomography, electron backscattered diffraction analyses (EBSD), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and Raman spectroscopy. 

Contacts:  petroccia@geoazur.unice.fr