Funding programme: Ayudas para contratos predoctorales para la formación de doctores (antiguas FPI)
PhD Advisors: Laura Gómez de la Peña and Jason P. Morgan
Project description
Our project is focused offshore northwest Africa. In particular, the aim is to study the Madeira-Tore Rise (MTR), a ~1000 km-long feature up to 5 km in height. Despite being located in what is traditionally understand as a passive continental margin, this structure shows evidence of recent, large-scale tectonic deformation and persistent, non-hotspot intraplate volcanism, challenging the “continental passive margins” models’ assumptions.
Curiously, the MTR is still extremely poorly surveyed by modern seismic data. Its large-scale crustal and lithospheric deformation and volcanic construction has yet to be properly quantified, and there are no well-accepted geodynamic theories for either its past and recent deformation, or its history of non-hotspot-like, non-subduction-zone-like volcanic activity.
During AVATAR, we will acquire new seismic data to determine the tectonic history and evolution of the MTR, and its potential links to both earthquake risk and to regional volcanism that in turn may be possibly linked to either lateral flow from sub-African plume-fed sources, potential continental margin processes such as edge convection, or even the initiation of a new Ibero-African subduction zone along this rifted margin. These new seismic data will be coupled to a new geodynamic investigation of numerical models of flow/deformation and melting that could generate this renewed tectonic and volcanic activity.
The offer
This position offers a cross-disciplinary training to the PhD candidate in the context of an international science team (The Barcelona Center for Subsurface Imaging, https://www.icm.csic.es/es/grupo-investigacion/barcelona-center-subsurface-imaging, see below for further information). We will promote stays of the young researchers in the international centers participating in the project. The PhD candidate will lead the publication of their results in journals of the highest possible impact within the SCI database. The candidate will attend international meetings such as EGU, AGU, and national meetings, to present their work and progressively improve and strengthen their science communication skills. As with other students at BCSI, the training plans of the requested PhD candidate will be structured in four phases:
- Phase 1: Technical Foundations (Year 1): Intensive training in the theory and fundamentals of geophysical data processing, seismic data analysis, and numerical modeling.
- Phase 2: Data Acquisition, Processing and Modeling (Years 2 & 3): The candidate will actively participate in a major marine survey to acquire new Multi-Channel Seismic (MCS) and Wide-Angle Seismic (WAS) data. This hands-on experience will be followed by applying advanced skills to process and model the new datasets.
- Phase 3: Geodynamical Numerical modelling (Years 3 & 4): The results on the crustal structure result from the seismic survey will be introduce as input of geodynamic numerical models in order to understand the evolution of this region.
- Phase 4: Interpretation and Dissemination (Years 3 & 4): Joint interpretation of results with project supervisors and international collaborators. The candidate will lead the publication of 2-3 high-impact (Q1 SCI) scientific articles and strengthen communication skills by attending major international meetings (e.g., AGU, EGU).
Starting date: between 1st January 2026 and 1st March 2026
Salary: first year: around 19.000 € gross salary; second, third and fourth years: around 23.500 € gross salary
Location: Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta 37-49, Barcelona, Spain
Candidates
- Degree in Geology, Geophysics, Physics, Marine Sciences, or a related field.
- A Master’s degree is required to enrolled in a PhD programmed (ideally, a Master’s degree in Geophysics).
- Desirable skills: Programming, written and oral communication in English, previous experienced in marine sciences will be valued.
Our team
The Barcelona Center for Subsurface Imaging (BCSI; https://www.icm.csic.es/es/grupo-investigacion/barcelona-center-subsurface-imaging) is an international research team with extensive expertise in the acquisition, processing, modeling, and interpretation of marine geophysical data, with a particular focus on controlled-source seismic data. Our strong connections within the global scientific community and extensive experience in offshore expeditions create an ideal environment for pursuing a PhD in Marine Geophysics.
The Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) is the most multidisciplinary research institute on marine science in Spain, and the leading scientific organization in Southern Europe. It is also the first marine science centre to be accredited as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence, a recognition to the institution’s leadership in the field of marine research in Spain and to its commitment to create social impact.
Our goal is to develop research of excellence to inspire a society in harmony with the blue planet, in line with the values of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
For further information, please visit our website.
Application procedure
Interested candidates should e-mail to lgomez@icm.csic.es their 1) CV and 2) a motivation letter describing their interest in the scientific career and the project, before the established deadline.