PhD opportunity at São Paulo State University (Brazil)

PhD opportunity for international candidates in Geochronology and Paleomagnetism of an ICDP core at São Paulo State University (UNESP, Brazil)

São Paulo State University (UNESP) invites applications from international candidates for a PhD position focused on Quaternary Geochronology and Paleomagnetism of an ICDP core. This research is part of a broader international collaboration investigating the glacial history and tectonic evolution of the Overdeepened Alpine Valleys ICDP-DOVE project / https://www.dove-icdp.eu/.

The PhD candidate will work on a sedimentary succession to be recovered through the ICDP-DOVE deep-drilling initiative in the eastern sector of Lake Garda (Northern Italy). The project integrates three complementary and partially overlapping chronostratigraphic approaches: luminescence dating of the upper core interval, cosmogenic nuclide burial dating of the lower core interval, and paleomagnetic analysis of the entire core. Together, these datasets will allow to establish the necessary chronological framework for interpreting glacial dynamics, depositional processes, and landscape evolution in a tectonically active sector of the Alpine foreland.

The successful candidate will contribute to answer the following research questions:

What is the age of the glacial sequences preserved in the Lake Garda amphitheater?

Does the core record a continuous succession of Marine Isotope Stages (MIS), or only the major glaciations?

How are glacial landforms preserved in regions affected by active tectonics?

The PhD research will be supervised by Prof. Giancarlo Scardia (UNESP, Brazil), in collaboration with Profs. Fiebig and Lüthgens, and Dr. Neuhuber (BOKU University, Austria). The project includes substantial interaction with international ICDP-DOVE teams, fieldwork in Italy, and laboratory activities in Brazil and Austria. The successful candidate will enroll in UNESP post-graduation program in Rio Claro (São Paulo, Brazil), with coursework delivered in Portuguese. Scholarship and international mobility will be provided through applications to São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, Brazil) and Ernst Mach Worldwide mobility grants (ÖAD, Austria), starting on February 2026.
Candidates must have a solid background in Geology, Geophysics, or Physical Geography. Previous experience in Quaternary Geology, Geochronology, or Paleomagnetism is desirable but not essential.

How to Apply
Applicants should submit:
1.    Motivation letter (1–2 pages) outlining interests and relevant experience
2.    CV with academic transcripts
3.    Names and contacts of 2–3 referees

Send your application or questions to Giancarlo Scardia (giancarlo.scardia(at)unesp.br)
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.