Research in Earth Sciences at The Open University
The Earth Sciences Department at the Open University campus in Milton Keynes accommodates up to 30 full time, campus-based post-graduate students at any one time working on a variety of topics in fields as diverse as volcanology, tectonics, igneous processes, oceanography, flood basalts, stratigraphy, geochemistry, biogeochemistry, palaeontology and environmental science.
Up to 2 projects will be funded from a variety of sources including the NERC. The three-year research studentships provide a maintenance grant of £12,300 per year and all academic fees are covered. There is an additional ~6 months of funding available by internal application during the third year. In addition to the projects listed, students are welcome to contact the Department if they have ideas for projects themselves.
The Department
The Department is exceptionally well equipped for geochemical analysis, (facilities include plasma, noble gas and solid source mass spectrometers, an electron microprobe, ICPMS, XRF, FTIR and an elemental analyser), biogeochemistry, remote sensing, and palaeontology. These laboratories are further supported by extensive rock preparation facilities, an inter-faculty electron microscope suite, and electronic and engineering workshops.
The Department has 56 staff members, which includes about 21 academic staff and 10 post-doctoral research fellows, and at present 21 postgraduate students, all of whom are based at the Milton Keynes campus. The Department is a thriving research community and achieved Grade 5 status in the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise. The research in the department is part of the Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (http://cepsar. open.ac.uk/).
Training
There is a comprehensive generic training programme in key skills for all PhD students as well as specific training for individual projects. NERC students are also encouraged to attend NERC-approved Short Courses where appropriate including their UK Graduate Programme. Fieldwork together with attendance and presentation at national and international conferences is encouraged. All graduate students have the opportunity to demonstrate at our unique residential Earth Sciences and Science Summer Schools held at other University campuses each year. Not only is this paid and good training, it is also great fun. In addition there is a thriving guest lecture and social programme organized by the Earth Sciences graduate society.
How to Apply
Applications, comprising an up-to-date CV and the names and addresses of 3 academic referees, should be submitted to the first named supervisor at The Department of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA as soon as possible; or contact Janet Dryden (j.l.dryden@open. ac.uk) who can help with more information.
*Interviews will be held on 26/27 February 2007; and, if there are any places left, also on the 22/23 March 2007*
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