Tectonic and climatic controls on sediment-hosted Cu-Co mineralisation in the Central African Copperbelt

About the research project

Join the quest to unlock the secrets of our planet’s past and pave the way for a sustainable future! Sediment-hosted ore deposits are major sources of Co, Cu, Pb, and Zn – vital metals underpinning society’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy technologies. However, these deposits can also shed light on past tectonic and climatic events on Earth that led to their formation. Despite their importance, the processes controlling the formation and distribution of sediment-hosted ore deposits are still not well understood. This PhD project aims to investigate the geological factors that influenced the formation of these deposits, focusing on the dynamic interplay between tectonic settings, paleogeography, climate events like the Neoproterozoic 'Snowball Earth', and the geological evolution of sedimentary basins.

This PhD project is part of Dr. Sheree Armistead’s Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Research Award (DECRA) fellowship starting in 2025, focusing on the interplay of tectonics and climate over the last billion years of Earth history and its influence on the formation of sediment-hosted ore deposits. By integrating global plate tectonic models, ore deposit datasets, and regional geochemistry data, the project seeks to uncover the processes that drive the formation of sediment-hosted ore deposits. This research offers an exciting opportunity to delve into the dynamic interactions between Earth’s tectonic movements and climatic changes, contributing to our understanding of geological processes on a global scale.

The Central African Copperbelt hosts the world’s largest sediment-hosted Cu-Co deposits and provides the premier natural laboratory to understand the processes that drive their formation. The PhD project will focus on this region, providing crucial data and context to inform the global scale analysis. The PhD candidate will play a vital role in unravelling the tectonic, climatic, and metallogenic evolution of key areas within the Central African Copperbelt.

Primary supervisor

Meet Doctor Sheree Armistead

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

• a living allowance stipend funded by University of Tasmania of $34,315 per annum for 3.5 years
• a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
• a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

A tuition fee offset may be offered to eligible international applicants following competitive assessment 

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees for undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

• Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded. Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Application process

1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
2. Contact Doctor Sheree Armistead to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
3. In your application:
   • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
   • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
4. Apply prior to 1 October 2026.

Full details of the application process can be found under the ' How to apply ' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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