PhD Position in Earth Sciences

VU University of Amsterdam

Netherlands

Your function

The three PhD positions are part of a larger Vici project funded by the Dutch Research Council.

The MAGMAS project aims to couple the geochemistry and geodynamic behaviour of various mantle plume localities within the Atlantic Ocean to better understand how the Earth’s mantle composition influences convection. The project includes one field campaign to a remote volcanic island and various research visits to collaborators in the UK and Germany.

The three PhD candidates will apply advanced analytical techniques to analyse minerals and melt inclusions (MI) in volcanics from various plume localities and will use that data in geochemical and geophysical numerical modelling.

The team will work on three main tasks:

Improve the accuracy of plume source composition;
Quantify changes with tectonic setting and time;
Determine the impact on convection behaviour and element exchange.

Topic 1 will be addressed by determining the elemental and radiogenic- and stable isotope compositions of minerals and melt inclusions. Topic 2 requires comparing the analytical data for various plume localities (Iceland, Azores, St Helena, Ascension, Tristan-Gough). Topic 3 will be addressed by geochemical and geodynamic modelling. The three PhD candidates will work on all three topics by using different techniques.

The analytical work will be performed in the NIGEL laboratories at VU Amsterdam and at laboratories of collaborators in the UK (Edinburgh) and Germany (Munster). The geodynamic modelling will be done at GEOMAR, Kiel, Germany in collaboration with Juliane Dannberg.

Your duties

The PhD students will apply and further develop advanced analytical techniques to determine combined major, trace and volatile element and isotope data on mineral and melt inclusion by wet-chemistry techniques (clean laboratory work), TIMS and MC-ICPMS mass spectrometry (PhD1), and by in situ Laser Ablation MC-ICPMS (PhD2) and SIMS techniques (PhD3). Applicants thus preferably have hands-on experience with analytical geochemistry. The volatile and stable isotope analyses by SIMS will furthermore include high pressure experiments for sample preparation (PhD3). For the geodynamic modelling the PhD students will take part in a 10-day ASPECT coding workshop. Applicants thus preferably have strong affinity in computational methodologies.

Selected candidates will closely collaborate with other team members, colleagues and collaborators. The research will lead to peer-reviewed publications that will be used to write a PhD thesis. The PhD candidates will present the results at national and international conferences, and will contribute to the department’s teaching programs.

Planned starting date: 1 January 2027 (or soon after).

Your profile

degree in MSc in Earth Sciences;
strong scientific motivation and interest in mantle geochemistry;
hands-on experience with relevant analytical techniques;
affinity with numerical modelling (Python, R, Aspect);
excellent ability to communicate in both written and spoken English;
good social skills.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What do we offer?

Selected candidates will become part of a world-class research team. You will have plenty of opportunities to develop creative ideas and your career. Our team values both independence and collaboration. There will be mentorship and guidance from the project’s principal investigator Janne Koornneef and other project members. You will be exposed to a large collaborative international network, through research visits to project partner institutes and attendance at international conferences. We offer competitive salaries and benefits, and we strongly value a healthy work-life balance. You will live in or around the multicultural metropolis of Amsterdam.

All in all, a challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. In return for your efforts we offer you:

a salary of € 3.059,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.881,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for full-time employment;
an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer attractive fringe benefits and arrangements, including:

a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata;
8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
optional model for designing a personalized benefits package;
space for personal development;
a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.

About us

Project and research group

The MAGMAS project will be carried out within our multi-disciplinary Isotope Geochemistry research group, which addresses a wide range of scientific fields, including geochemistry, planetary science, archaeology, environmental science, and forensic research.

The NIGEL facility (https://nigel.amsterdam/) headed by the MAGMAS PI is unique in the Netherlands with:

2 TIMS;
2 MC-ICP-MS;
1 ICP-MS;
1 ICP-OES;
two laser systems for in situ analyses.

A new metal-free clean laboratory as part of the infrastructure is to be installed within the new VO Research Building.

The group's expertise with isotope analysis techniques on small sample sizes is applied in NIGEL in collaboration with colleagues from a broad range of fields, including dust provenance, provenance of animals, humans and archaeological materials, authenticity of paints and artworks, and ancient sediments and volcanics from volcanic arcs.

The MAGMAS project will make use of the advanced VU mineral and melt inclusion preparation laboratories and is closely connected to research carried out in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, the VU Stable Isotope Lab, and the Argon Geochronology Laboratory, with which support staff are shared.

Department of Earth Sciences

The MAGMAS project will have important implications for the composition of the crust, oceans, atmosphere, and climate, and is therefore well-embedded within the broad research conducted in the major research themes of the VU Earth Sciences Department.

We study our dynamic planet from nano- to planetary scale to quantify the key cycles and interactions in System Earth. Processes taking place over timescales from seconds to millions of years are investigated by combining fieldwork, laboratory work and computer simulations.

By bringing together our fundamental understanding of System Earth and our fresh curiosity, we conduct research relevant to today's societal challenges, including sustainability, climate change and natural hazards.

The department’s research facilities are regarded as outstanding, while its international focus fosters national and international collaboration contributing to high-quality research outcomes. The department also offers Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Earth Sciences.

Faculty of Science

Working at the Faculty of Science means collaborating with students, lecturers and researchers who are focused on their field, yet have a broad view of the world. We are proud of a positive and inclusive workplace culture within the faculty, where we work together with great energy and a pragmatic attitude to tackle social challenges.

From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, from helium to the universe and from genetics to medicine, our education and research cover the full breadth of science, from molecules to mankind. Our academic education and research are highly experimental, technical and interdisciplinary in nature. Therefore, we collaborate extensively with leading scientific institutes and industry.

The Faculty has more than 8,000 students studying in one of 39 programmes and employs more than 1,400 staff across 10 scientific departments, making it one of the largest science faculties in the Netherlands.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely—a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact.

By joining forces across disciplinary boundaries, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and more than 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity

Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university? In that case, we encourage you to submit your application before 10 September 2026.

Submitting a diploma and a reference check are part of the application process.

Your application should include:

Cover letter with motivation (maximum 1 page);
Short CV (maximum 1 page);
Grade list (of all finalized courses);
MSc thesis (for those who have not finished their degree, this could be a draft version);
Names and contact details of two references.

In the motivation letter, please specify any preferred analytical approach as mentioned in the Your duties section for the PhD positions.

A first round of Microsoft Teams interviews will be scheduled in late September/early October. A second round of interviews will take place in October/November, either on site (travel costs will be reimbursed) or online depending on logistical feasibility.

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.