Vacancies

MS or PhD position available in petrology / volcanology: How variable is magma decompression rate during a single eruption?

The Planetary Volcanism Laboratory at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) has an opening for a Master’s or PhD student, with a preferred start date of Fall Semester, 2021.

A funded project is available to study temporal variations in the decompression rate of magma erupted at Cinder Cone, Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA. The exceptionally well-preserved tephra sequence at Cinder Cone captures a transition in eruptive style from Hawaiian/Strombolian to Strombolian/Violent Strombolian, providing an excellent natural laboratory for studying the role of decompression rate as a control on eruptive style.

We seek a highly motivated candidate who is excited about:

- Volcanoes!

- Sample collection in Lassen Volcanic National Park, CA

- Coding and Math (great classes are available at UMD)

- Long hours of looking for crystals under a microscope

- Learning how to use analytical instrumentation (spectroscopy, electron microscopy)

Applications will be accepted through the UMD graduate school online application system: https://gradschool.umd.edu/admissions/application-process/step-step-guide-applying

Application requirements for the Geology program are detailed here: https://gradschool.umd.edu/computermathematicalnatural-sciences/geol

Please contact Megan (Newcombe@umd.edu) for additional information. The Planetary Volcanism Lab is committed to being a diverse, friendly and inclusive environment. Members of under-represented minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.