The Earth Sciences Department at the Open University campus in Milton Keynesaccommodates up to 30 full time, campus-based post-graduate students at anyone time working on a variety of topics in fields as diverse as volcanology,tectonics, igneous processes, oceanography, flood basalts, stratigraphy,geochemistry, biogeochemistry, palaeontology and environmental science.

Up to 2 projects will be funded from a variety of sources including theNERC. The three-year research studentships provide a maintenance grant of£12,300 per year and all academic fees are covered. There is an additional~6 months of funding available by internal application during the thirdyear. In addition to the projects listed, students are welcome to contactthe Department if they have ideas for projects themselves.The Department

The Department is exceptionally well equipped for geochemical analysis,(facilities include plasma, noble gas and solid source mass spectrometers,an electron microprobe, ICPMS, XRF, FTIR and an elemental analyser),biogeochemistry, remote sensing, and palaeontology. These laboratories arefurther supported by extensive rock preparation facilities, an inter-facultyelectron microscope suite, and electronic and engineering workshops.

The Department has 56 staff members, which includes about 21 academic staffand 10 post-doctoral research fellows, and at present 21 postgraduatestudents, all of whom are based at the Milton Keynes campus. The Departmentis a thriving research community and achieved Grade 5 status in the 2001Research Assessment Exercise. The research in the department is part of theCentre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (http://cepsar.open.ac.uk/).

Training
There is a comprehensive generic training programme in key skills for allPhD students as well as specific training for individual projects. NERCstudents are also encouraged to attend NERC-approved Short Courses whereappropriate including their UK Graduate Programme. Fieldwork together withattendance and presentation at national and international conferences isencouraged. All graduate students have the opportunity to demonstrate at ourunique residential Earth Sciences and Science Summer Schools held at otherUniversity campuses each year. Not only is this paid and good training, itis also great fun. In addition there is a thriving guest lecture and socialprogramme organized by the Earth Sciences graduate society.

How to Apply
Applications, comprising an up-to-date CV and the names and addresses of 3academic referees, should be submitted to the first named supervisor at TheDepartment of Earth Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes MK7 6AA assoon as possible; or contact Janet Dryden (j.l.dryden@open.ac.uk) who canhelp with more information.

Interviews will be held on 26/27 February 2007; and, if there are anyplaces left, also on the 22/23 March 2007