Hi Folks,

I would be grateful if you could bring this Research Studentship 
opportunity to the attention of any well-qualified students you are 
aware of who have expressed an interest in pursuing research into 
economic geology, igneous petrology or structural geology.

Cheers,

Iain McDonald

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Research Studentship in Geology
School of Earth & Environmental Sciences
University of Greenwich 

The Lithospheric Processes & Resources Group, part of the School of
Earth & Environmental Sciences, invites applications for a 12 month
MSc (Research) Scholarship in Geology to carry out research on the
structure and genesis of the Platreef deposit in South Africa.  The
Platreef is a world class platinum-group element (PGE) deposit,
composed of pyroxenites and meta-pyroxenites intruded along the base
of the eastern lobe of the Bushveld Complex.  The Platreef is expected
to be a major source of new PGE production over the next 20 years but
genetic understanding of the deposit is still at an early stage. 
Although the project is initially projected to last 12 months, there
is a strong possibility that, dependant upon the results obtained in
this period, the project can be developed further and the successful
applicant will be allowed to register for a PhD. 

Work will be carried out at Sandsloot Mine, an open pit operated by
Anglo American Platinum Ltd (AMPLATS).  The initial phase of the
investigation will focus on detailed face mapping and logging of drill
core through the Platreef package in order to gain a detailed
understanding of the composite nature of the ore body and the
relationship between the pyroxenites and the footwall metasediments.  
This is a strongly field-oriented study and the student will be
expected to work efficiently and independently whilst in South Africa.
 AMPLATS will provide logistical support, access to mine equipment and
training while the successful candidate is working at Sandsloot. 
Follow-up lab work in the UK will include petrographic analysis of
thin sections and polished blocks, microprobe analyses and detailed
assays for PGE and Au in samples collected from the footwall rocks.

The Scholarship available covers tuition fees, travel and field
related expenses and will provide the student with an annual bursary
of £7200. This is an excellent opportunity for a professionally-minded
student looking to pursue applied research in economic geology with a
major international mining company on a new and important deposit. 
The successful applicant will have a good BSc (Hons) degree in Geology
or Mining Geology. Evidence of successful project work in igneous
and/or structural geology would be highly desirable.  In addition,
he/she should possess a full driving licence, have a strong
self-disciplined work ethic, and be able to execute the programme of
work in a timely manner.  The project can commence at any point from
the beginning of May 2000 but the evaluation panel will await exam
results for any particularly strong candidates until mid-June. The
initial phase of fieldwork in South Africa must commence by the end of
July 2000 at the latest and the successful applicant is expected to be
in place by then.  

Applicants should send their CV, including the names and addresses of
two academic referees, and a covering letter outlining their research
interests and why they are interested in the studentship to Dr. Iain
McDonald, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of
Greenwich, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4TB, U.K.  The final deadline
for submission of applications is the 24th of March 2000.  Informal
enquiries and requests for further information can be made to Dr. Iain
McDonald at the address shown above or by email
([log in to unmask]).

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