UZAG - Ph.D. positions 2010

Duration and volume

The programme will facilitate nine 3-year PhD positions during the period from 2008 to 2012. Three positions will be filled in each of the first three years (2008, 2009 and 2010) with a starting date on 1st October. Applications are now invited for the three positions of the third announcement year. Interested candidates must submit their application including a research proposal by 15th May 2010.

Topics for research proposals

Applications are invited from outstanding graduate students holding a master/diploma degree or equivalent in a natural scientific/technical branch. The successful candidates should be able to contribute innovatively to any research field within the main subjects of the Department for Applied Geosciences and Geophysics at the University of Leoben.

The DAGG consists of chairs in

• Petroleum Geology
• Geology and Economic Geology
• Geophysics
• Mineralogy and Petrology
• Prospection und Applied Sedimentology

The areas of research are focussed on:

• Deepening the knowledge about the system Earth regarding processes with relevance to resources, deposits, and their spatial-temporal dynamics, in the view of a sustainable utilization of the Earth’s crust and its resources
• Availability and valuation of the entire potential of natural resources
• Geomaterials within the value chain: raw material – product

Application instructions

Applications must include a research proposal (max. 8 pages; in English or German language) linked to one of the main research fields of the Department for Applied Geosciences and Geophysics at the University of Leoben. You should provide a detailed project description (scientific background, objectives, methods, and schedule) together with information about the required infrastructure. If external services from outside the DAGG are necessary, it must be verified that such services are available through cooperations or by means of external funding.

Applications including a project proposal (in electronic form; CD) must be sent with exact reference to the Job posting (see Information sheet of the University of Leoben) to: Zentrale Dienste - Personal/Amt der Universität der Montanuniversität Leoben (Franz-Josef-Straße 18, 8700 Leoben). Applications must be received no later than 15^th May 2010. Use the reference number 1003WPB in your application.

Review process

The Review Committee will evaluate the proposals and select applicants who will be invited to a public hearing at the University of Leoben at the end of June 2010. During the hearing, every candidate will have 30 minutes for her/his presentation. Applicants will be notified about the decision of the Review committee as soon as possible (about two weeks after the hearing).

Scientific Supervision and education

The Review Committee will propose a scientific supervisor and an external second supervisor (if possible a member of the UZAG) for every candidate. Applicants are entitled to approach potential supervisors and submit a suggestion for the scientific supervision in their proposals.

Specific courses will be offered in the frame of the UZAG doctorate programme. Participation in at least two workshops on Advanced Methods in Geosciences, one field workshop and three seminars is obligatory. Additional courses will be selected in accordance with the scientific supervisor.


For details concerning the programme, application- and review process, areas of research and infrastructure of the DAGG please visit the programme homepage or contact the programme coordinator.

Programme coordinator: Ao. Univ. Prof. Dr. Robert Scholger (robert.scholger@unileoben.ac.at)