PhD: Geodynamic Exploration of Emergence and Evolution of Hadean Paleogeography

The Department of Earth Sciences is looking for a highly motivated PhD candidate with a MSc background in Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geophysics or other appropriate fields. You will work on the project “Geodynamic exploration of emergence and evolution of Hadean paleogeography”, one of several new projects within the PRELIFE programme.

Your job

The origin of life remains one of the greatest mysteries in science. While many theories have been proposed, no single explanation has yet gained universal agreement. That’s where the PRELIFE consortium 

comes in. PRELIFE unites experts across a wide range of disciplines from astronomy, biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and planetary sciences, education, mathematics, to physics. Together we will explore two fundamental questions: How did life emerge on Earth, and how common are the conditions elsewhere in the universe? To answer these profound questions, we will take an interdisciplinary approach, bringing together diverse perspectives to unlock new insights. But we believe this question is not just for scientists, it is for everyone. That’s why we will invite teachers, students, and the public to join us, through educational programs, artistic collaborations, and museum partnerships. We’re searching for answers to life’s biggest questions, and we need your help.

As part of the PRELIFE programme, we offer 15 exciting research projects. Are you a student with deep expertise in your field and a passion for crossing disciplinary boundaries? Each project connects different scientific fields, working together to unlock the secrets of life’s origins and take the public along. Are you in?

Key for the study of the origin and emergence of life on Earth is to estimate what environments were present, and which chemical components, energy sources, and protection to degrading processes were available near and at the surface in the Hadean (4.6-4.0 Ga), for which time interval data are only available from a small number of zircons. Such physical and chemical properties and environments are closely tied to the emergence and evolution of geography: life cannot have existed directly after the Moon-forming impact and the ensuing magma ocean stage, and the rock record shows life had established itself in the Archean (4.0-2.5 Ga) when a solid crust, liquid water oceans, and land existed. The current project aims to evaluate what relief may have existed, and on what timescales, in the course of the Hadean, and, with scenarios for ocean volume on the early Earth, whether land may have existed and what it could have looked like when life emerged.

As a PhD candidate, you will evaluate scenarios through numerical modelling of mantle dynamic and lithosphere (de)formation processes, using the range of possible Hadean compositions and mantle temperature evolution. The project will then evaluate whether and how much land area may have been present given a suite of ocean volume and evolution scenarios, and how long topography may be maintained with a much weaker and hotter crust compared to today. This provides boundary conditions for origin of life, and PRELIFE scenarios.

The study will be carried out by means of forward numerical modelling. Two approaches are envisioned: a simple parameterisation of the required melting laws will be implemented in a proof-of-concept Python code while production runs will ultimately come to rely on the open source community code ASPECT. Model validation includes comparison with the Hadean zircon record.

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/workshops as well as training on the job in assisting in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes of the department at Utrecht University.

Your qualities

You are an enthusiastic colleague who has a keen interest in the Early Earth and Ocean and who is eager to conduct numerical modelling experiments. You must have completed your MSc degree in Earth Sciences, Geochemistry, Geophysics, or a related discipline by the time the position starts. Besides that, you have:

• a strong background in (geo)physics, petrology, and programming;
• a demonstrable experience in (geodynamical) numerical modelling.
• experience with ASPECT and/or knowledge of C++ is a plus, but not a requirement;
• a motivation to cooperate in a diverse and multidisciplinary research team;
• adequate social and communication skills.

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.

Our offer

• A position for one 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 working week of 38 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 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 has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development 

, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities 

, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University 

.

About us

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 & Oceans. The department hosts a highly international tenured staff of over 50 scientists and more than 110 PhD candidates 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.

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.

More information

PhD supervisors:

• Professor Douwe J.J. van Hinsbergen 
  external link

  (d.j.j.vanhinsbergen@uu.nl – paleogeography)

• Dr Cedric Thieulot (c.thieulot@uu.nl – computational geodynamics)
• Professor Wim van Westrenen (w.van.westrenen@vu.nl – planetary science)

For informal information about this position, please contact Professor Douwe van Hinsbergen 

at d.j.j.vanhinsbergen@uu.nl. Please do not send your application to this email address.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University. Commercial response to this ad is not appreciated.

Note that international candidates that need a visa/work permit for the Netherlands require at least four months processing time after selection and acceptance. This will be arranged with help of the International Service Desk 

(ISD) of our university. Finding appropriate housing in or near Utrecht is your own responsibility, but the ISD may be able to advise you therewith. In case of general questions about working and living in The Netherlands, please consult the Dutch Mobility Portal 

.

Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home 

for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply now’ button:

• your curriculum vitae, including any courses taken that are relevant for the position;
• academic credentials (mark sheets and degree statements);
• your motivation letter.

No reference letters need to be submitted in your initial application. If you are shortlisted, we will contact you for referees. We aim for a quick selection procedure after the application deadline, and interviews with shortlisted candidates will take place between 24 and 30 June (online if candidates are from abroad). The preferred starting date is between 1 September 2025 and 1 January 2026.

The application deadline is 10 June 2025.