James Cook University

Scholarship details:

Duration: 3.5 years full-time

Stipend: AUD$34,002.5 per annum (tax-free, indexed annually)

Location: James Cook University, Bebegu Yamba Campus, Townsville, QLD, Australia

Start: Immediate (the sooner the better)

Eligibility criteria: Higher Degree by Research Requirements - Policy - JCU Australia

Homepage: https://www.jcu.edu.au/

Project Background:

Coastal deposits of Heavy Minerals (HMs), also known as Beach Placers, occur at (paleo-) shorelines commonly associated with beach, barrier and dunes or deposits. These deposits are the main global source of important industrial minerals, in particular titanium-bearing ore minerals (ilmenite, rutile and leucoxene) and zircon. Beach Placers have several characteristics that make them more prospective than other potential sources including their usually voluminous/large deposits, near surface depths buried by mostly unconsolidated material, and well stablished highly mechanised and mineral-separation techniques. Many studies identify inland complexes of high-grade metamorphic and igneous rocks as the primary sources of the HMs deposited in a particular coastal basin. HM-bearing materials derived from these weathered and eroded bedrocks are transported by rivers to coastal areas. The sediments are then deposited along the shoreline and finally, major transgressions/regressions of sea level are responsible for determine the exact location of these deposits (in most cases landwards of the modern shoreline).

Project Focus:

This PhD project will investigate the economic viability of Beach Placers along the tropical coast of Queensland. The principal commodities to be investigated include zircon and titanium minerals, and other potential co-products such as garnet, monarzite (potential sources of thorium and rare earth elements). The project will benefit from collaborations with EGRU, the Advanced Analytical Centre, and other national/international partners.

A tentative structure for this PhD project would be one that formulates the basis of Beach Placer exploration through:

A) Identification of key (paleo-)shorelines and potential HM trap sites, favourable sedimentary facies within the host sequences via geophysical techniques (Ground Penetrating Radar), augering/drilling, sampling, geochronology dating (Optically Stimulated Luminescence) and LiDAR.

B) Assessment of the economic exploration potential of these HM deposits through XRD, XRF and microscopy.

C) Formulation of a geological and geomorphological model of suitable tropical depositional environments including beach ridges, prograded barriers, chenier ridges and embayments.

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate who possesses:

- A completed or eligible Bachelor’s degree with First or Upper Second Class Honours, a Master’s degree, or equivalent in Geology or other Earth Sciences-related field (Geomorphology, Sedimentology, Geophysics, Physical Geography)

- A strong academic background in coastal sedimentology/geomorphology (experience with coastal barriers/dunes)

- Fieldwork (coring) and laboratory (mineralogy/petrology) experience - English proficiency (written and spoken)

For enquiries and application, please email the documents below as a single PDF by the 15th of November 2025 to Dr Rafael Carvalho (rafael.cabralcarvalho@jcu.edu.au). Preference will be given to domestic students. However, good international students will be considered.

- A 2-page max CV, including academic achievements, research experience, key skills, publication list and two academic referees (contact information) - A cover letter (1-page max) outlining your motivations and background alignments to the project