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Ph.D. Student Opportunities - Novel cosmogenic approaches for surficial processes and Quaternary geology - Purdue University - PRIME Lab
 
The new in situ cosmogenic 14C laboratory at Purdue University's PRIME Lab is seeking motivated new Ph.D. students interested in developing applications of in situ cosmogenic 14C (in situ 14C) for surficial process and Quaternary geologic studies. In situ 14C is produced by cosmic rays incident on terrestrial materials in a manner similar to other commonly measured in situ cosmogenic nuclides such as 10Be or 26Al. However, its significantly shorter half-life enables one to explore surface processes in ways previously unavailable using only long-lived or stable cosmogenic nuclides. The potential applications most likely to have the greatest impact actually combine the information derived from in situ 14C with that from long-lived nuclides. In particular, we are looking for students interested in studying Holocene glacial chronologies and/or rapid surface processes, with good quantitative skills and who are comfortable in field and laboratory environments. We are currently exploring a number of projects using in situ 14C and 10Be, including deglacial chronologies in Arctic Canada, Greenland, and Ireland, and quantifying Holocene sediment transport. We are also beginning to investigate interactions of glaciation and tectonics in the Tian Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan with a variety of methods.
 
Purdue is a major research-extensive university in north-central Indiana that is well known internationally as a center for innovative research involving cosmogenic nuclide methods.  Our research community includes several faculty and a highly productive group of graduate students across earth sciences and physics. PRIME Lab (the Purdue Rare Isotope Measurement Laboratory) is a dedicated national accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) facility funded by NSF, NASA and NIH.
 
Funded graduate assistantships are available for applicants who wish to start a PhD program in 2012, and applicants must have research experience (M.S. preferred) and strong quantitative, laboratory and writing skills.  For more information contact Dr. Nat Lifton ([log in to unmask]; http://www.purdue.edu/eas/people/faculty/lifton.php). Purdue University is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse student body.