Applications are sought for two (2) Ph.D. studentship positions in the Geology program in the Earth Sciences Department at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The studentships are funded through the KFUPM Deanship of Graduate Studies and grants from the Saudi National Science Technology & Innovation Program.

(a) IODP research in the Bering Sea (Micropaleontology: Mineralogy & Geochemistry). The successful candidate will assist in an international effort to investigate the mineralogy of volcanic ash and agglutinated benthic foraminifera from volcanic ash layers in IODP Leg 323 cores recovered from the Bering Sea under the supervision of Drs. A. Umran Dogan & Mike Kaminski at KFUPM and Tonci Balic-Zunic in Copenhagen. For additional information on the nature of the research project, please contact A. Umran Dogan at umran-dogan@uiowa.edu

(b) IODP research in the Bering Sea (Micropaleontology: Biostratigraphy). The successful candidate will assist in an international effort to investigate the taxonomy, biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental significance of benthic foraminiferal assemblages from IODP Leg 323 cores recovered from the Bering Sea under the supervision of Drs. Mike Kaminski & A. Umran Dogan at KFUPM and Sev Kender at the BGS. For additional information on the nature of the research project, please contact Dr. Mike Kaminski at kaminski@kfupm.edu.sa.

At KFUPM, all Ph.D. students receive free tuition and on-campus accommodation, highly subsidized health care, subsidized cafeteria meals, two one-way economy-class tickets to Dammam from point of origin, as well as a tax-free combined stipend that is currently in excess of $1,700 per month. Married students receive an upgraded housing allowance. The Ph.D. programme at KFUPM is a 4-year program, and all Ph.D. students are expected to attend postgraduate-level courses and perform light teaching duties or other assignments. A Masters degree in Earth Sciences or a related subject is required, and all candidates are required to submit GRE test results. Additionally, non-native English speakers must submit TOEFL/IELTS test results. Potential applicants are advised to first check the KFUPM Graduate Studies website under “PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS” [www.kfupm.edu.sa/gs] for additional eligibility requirements. KFUPM rules & regulations apply. Online applications for September entry will be accepted between Feb. 6 and March 8, 2012.