PhD: Quantifying lithium partitioning in rock-forming minerals

The Department of Earth Sciences is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with an MSc background in Earth Sciences, Inorganic Chemistry, Material Sciences or other appropriate fields. You will work on the project: Quantifying lithium partitioning between rock-forming minerals and silicate melt.

Your job
Lithium has various industrial applications, with the electrification of transport infrastructure driving rapid growth in demand. Today, batteries consume more than three-quarters of global lithium production, and according to the IEA forecasts this production will double by 2030. An integrated understanding of lithium mineral systems is clearly needed to support exploration efforts for this energy critical metal.

The PhD student will explore the geochemical behaviour of lithium in the Earth's crust as a function of variables such as composition, temperature, pressure and oxygen fugacity. The candidate will focus on understanding and quantifying controls on the mobilisation, concentration and trapping of lithium to form pegmatite ore bodies. The project will utilise high-pressure high-temperature experimental equipment hosted by the UU Earth Simulation Laboratory, and the world-leading analytical facilities hosted at UU’s Electron Microscopy Centre.

Project description
Recent advances in thermodynamic phase equilibrium modelling facilitate the prediction of metal budgets of crustal magmatic systems (e.g., Weller et al., 2024 JPet, Soderman et al., 2025 Nat Geosci). Pseudosections, the bespoke phase diagrams generated by such models, can be used to explore equilibrium assemblages with respect to the proportion and composition of mineral, melt and fluid phases across a range of geologically-relevant pressure, temperature and composition. With constraints on the partitioning of trace elements among coexisting phases, one can model their distribution during magmatic processes, and crucially the locations within pegmatite mineral systems that are predisposed to form lithium mineralisation.

We currently have a patchy and discontinuous view of the behaviour of lithium in crustal magmatic systems. Most existing element distribution studies report discrete partitioning values applicable only at the pressure, temperature and composition conditions (P-T-X) directly explored by their experiments (e.g., Icenhower & London, 1995, AmMin). The proposed project will

1. compile existing element partitioning data between rock-forming minerals and melt in granite pegmatite systems;
2. identify the key phases that may dominate the lithium budgets of these magmas (e.g., muscovite, cordierite, garnet);
3. conduct HP-HT crystallisation experiments designed to cover underrepresented P-T-X space relevant for lithium pegmatite genesis; and
4. calibrate empirical expressions that describe the partitioning of lithium between major mineral phases and silicate melt (e.g., Beard et al., 2019, 2020, in review).

The empirical partitioning expressions generated in this work, when integrated with the phase equilibrium models described above, have potential to provide a unified and quantitative understanding of lithium distribution in crustal magmatic systems. Consequently, this project has the long-term potential to revolutionise approaches to critical metal exploration in magmatic settings.

Training
A personalised training programme will be set up reflecting your training needs and career objectives. About 20% of your time will be dedicated to this training component, which includes following courses and/or workshops (some of which are mandatory), as well as training on the job in assisting in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes of the department at Utrecht University.

We seek candidates who are motivated by the proposed research, take initiative to develop ideas, are self-driven and can work independently and within a team. Applicants should hold a MSc degree in Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Material Sciences, or a related discipline by the time the position starts. Furthermore, it is favourable to have:

• Experience designing and conducting experiments and processing geological samples
• A theoretical background in thermodynamics, mineralogy, petrology and economic geology
• Statistics and coding experience
• A willingness to experiment with new data collection methods
• A flair for written, graphical and oral communication.
• And above all, creativity and curiosity

Due to the international character of our research, good command of spoken and written English is essential. We highly encourage applicants from all members of our community and of diverse backgrounds to join us.

We offer:

• a position (1.0 FTE) for 1 year, with an extension to a total of four years upon a successful assessment in the first year, and with the specific intent that it results in a doctorate within this period;
• a full-time gross salary between € 3,059 in the first year and € 3,881 in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) Dutch Universities;
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University also offers a range of its own schemes for employees. This includes arrangements for professional development, various types of leave, and options for sports and cultural activities. You can also tailor your employment conditions through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage you to keep investing in your personal and professional development. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

Utrecht University’s Faculty of Geosciences studies the Earth: from the Earth’s core to its surface, including man’s spatial and material utilisation of the Earth – always with a focus on sustainability and innovation. With 3,400 students (BSc and MSc) and 720 staff, the faculty is a strong and challenging organisation. The Faculty of Geosciences is organised in four Departments: Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Spatial Planning, Physical Geography, and Sustainable Development.

The Department of Earth Sciences conducts teaching and research across the full range of the solid Earth and environmental Earth sciences, with activities in almost all areas of geology, geochemistry, geophysics, biogeology and hydrogeology. Our key research themes are Earth & Planetary Processes, Sustainable Use of the Subsurface, Planetary Health & Environment, and Climate & Life. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff of over 50 scientists and more than 110 PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. We house or have access to a wide variety of world-class laboratories, among which are UU’s Electron Microscopy Centre, the Geolab, and the Earth Simulation Lab. We also have excellent High- Performance Computing facilities.

About Utrecht
The department and its facilities are located at Utrecht Science Park. Utrecht is the fourth largest city in the Netherlands with a population of nearly 360,000 and forms a hub in the middle of the country. Its historical city centre and its modern central station can easily be reached from the Science Park by public transport or by a 15-minute bicycle ride. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water, as well as a broad variety of shops and boutiques.