iCRAG PhD Studentship: HC4.1 PhD1
Development of novel sediment tracers: investigating the primary controls on
reservoir sandstone quality.
Earth and Ocean Sciences, National University of Ireland Galway, are seeking applicants for
a PhD studentship position within the Hydrocarbons Spoke of Irish Centre for Research in
Applied Geosciences (iCRAG). iCRAG is funded under the SFI Research Centres
Programme and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund.
The successful candidate will be based at NUIG and work within the “Sediment Tracking”
targeted project, which also includes academics and researchers from UCD, TCD and UCC,
and is linked with the National Centre for Isotope Geochemistry (NCIG).
The overall aim of this targeted project is to help move toward first-order quantitative
modelling of sedimentary systems and their detrital products. This PhD project will
specifically focus on a detailed assessment of the relationship between provenance and
reservoir quality. Reservoir quality is a complex function of, amongst other factors, primary
detrital mineralogy, secondary authigenic mineral growth, interstitial fluids, burial depth,
temperature and time. The key objectives in this project are to investigate, assess and test
the links between source area, sandstone petrography, and reservoir quality and to identify
potential causes of provenance-controlled reservoir sandstone heterogeneity from thin
section to depositional system scale.
Candidates should hold or anticipate a 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in Geology, Earth
Sciences or a related discipline. The PhD is funded for 4 years and carries a stipend of
€18,000/year. There are additional funds available to cover fees, field /conference travel,
and analytical costs.
For more information please contact Dr Shane Tyrrell (shane.tyrrell@nuigalway.ie).
Applications, which must including a CV, a covering letter explaining your interest in the
position, and contact details for three referees, should be emailed to
shane.tyrrell@nuigalway.ie by 11pm GMT, Friday 1st May 2015. This project will start on 1st
September 2015.