The University of Sydney

The School of Geosciences is a dynamic, collegial, and multi-disciplinary community of scholars and students spanning geology, geophysics, marine geoscience, environmental studies and geography. It is internationally recognised for excellence in both research and teaching. Our common passion is to engage in research and teaching that promotes a better understanding of our world and its challenges, and we address key issues facing society including climate change, resource management and sustainability.

The School of Geosciences is firmly committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace, improving equity, access and opportunity, and fostering an environment where individuality is welcomed and celebrated.

Homepage: https://www.sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-geosciences.html

Join a cutting-edge industry project investigating Earth systems across scale | Scholarship $50,000 AUD p.a. for 3 years

We are seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to join a cutting-edge research project in deep-time global landscape evolution modelling calibrated with geochronology. This project will be hosted within the University of Sydney School of Geosciences, a vibrant, multidisciplinary community spanning geology, geophysics, marine geoscience, geography, and environmental sciences.

This fully funded PhD scholarship is supported by BHP and offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to pioneering research at the interface of geochronology, geochemistry, thermochronology, plate tectonic modelling and numerical landscape evolution simulations.

About the Project

This PhD project will address how Earth’s surface systems evolve over geological time, by integrating:

• Global landscape evolution models and source-to-sink sediment routing
• Thermochronology, geochronology, and geochemistry to calibrate and validate models
• Paleoclimate, tectonics, and paleogeographic reconstructions
• Quantitative modelling of erosion, sediment transport, and basin infill at regional to planetary scales

You will work to uncover how landscapes evolve, sediments are recycled, and how Earth’s surface interacts with climate and tectonics across hundreds of millions of years.

As a PhD candidate, your key responsibilities will include:

• Conducting independent and collaborative research within the project scope
• Developing and applying numerical models of deep-time landscape evolution
• Integrating global geochronological datasets to calibrate simulations
• Preparing peer-reviewed publications and presenting results at international conferences
• Contributing to team meetings, workshops, and optional mentoring/teaching activities

About you

We are looking for a candidate who demonstrates the University’s values of courage, creativity, openness, inclusion, and integrity, and who has:

• A First Class Honours or Master’s degree in geoscience, Earth sciences, geophysics, geography, or a related field
• Have a proven track record of developing innovative numerical workflows for geoscience research
• Prior experience with numerical plate tectonic, thermomechanical and/or landscape evolution modelling will be highly valued.
• Familiarity with geochronology-thermochronology systems is also favourable.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, MATLAB, C, Fortran, or similar)
• Strong analytical skills, excellent written and verbal communication, and the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team

Why join us?

This position offers the opportunity to work in a vibrant and internationally connected research environment at the University of Sydney. You will have the opportunity to work with project supervisors Tristan Salles, Sabin Zahirovic and Samuel Boone, and be part of a dynamic team tackling globally significant questions at the intersection of surface processes, geodynamics, and climate change. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, high-performance computing resources, and extensive collaborative networks across Australia, Asia, Europe, and North America.

The role provides excellent opportunities for career development, including mentoring, teaching experience, and support to build your research profile. Living and working in Sydney, you will be based in one of the world’s most liveable cities, with a thriving academic community and easy access to Australia’s unique natural environments.

Project Information:
https://www.sydney.edu.au/research/opportunities/3641.html

Apply here

Application Deadline: 28 Nov 2025