Research training activities

(1) Activities at the Host University

In the framework of the MINSPEC project, three PhD projects, probably four diploma theses, and a number of graduate and post-graduate students visiting from other institutions, will be supervised. Also, scientists who are interested in using a particular spectroscopy technique in their geochemical, petrologic, bio-mineralogical, or other research, are welcome to arrange short-time visits in Vienna for future co-operation in the framework of MINSPEC.

A major portion of the Chair’s research projects will be subjected to the investigation of geological materials that have suffered structural alteration due to the impact of radioactive irradiation. Here, mineral spectroscopic techniques will be applied in combination with other analytical techniques to characterise the short-range order, structural state, and internal growth and alteration textures of such materials. These research activities aims at the understanding of radiation effects in minerals, which will - inter alia - help to improve the reliability of radiometric age data and contribute to the performance assessment of potential host materials for the safe long-term storage of nuclear waste.

Current projects include:
-  Self-irradiation damage of zircon (PhD, Tamas Vaczi)
-  Self-irradiation damage of monazite and other phosphate minerals (PhD, Katja Ruschel)
-  Alteration of minerals as caused by external irradiation (PhD, Robert Krickl)
-  Characterization of two zircon gemstones in view of their potential suitability as international age determination
   standards (Diploma, Nicolas Norberg)
The three PhD students will get the research training to become spectroscopy experts. They will have the opportunity to learn and be involved in the practical application of all four of the above techniques.

Note again that, in addition to teaching and research training offered to the Host institute’s undergraduate and graduate students, there are several opportunities for long-term and short-time visitors. Options range from short visits to perform measurements on own samples to spending an entire semester in Vienna as part of an external PhD project.

(2) External activities

Apart from on-site training, which includes opportunities for long-term and short-time visitors to Vienna, MINSPEC activities will also include external teaching and training. The Chair Holder offers to hold single lectures as well as short courses (between six hours and five days) at other institutions in the following fields:
- Radiation damage of mineral species: Characterization and implications for radiometric age dating and storage of nuclear waste
- Raman micro-spectroscopy and Raman-base image generation 
- Luminescence techniques in the Geosciences

For further information regarding potential future research co-operation and on-site and external teaching and training activities, please contact the Chair Holder via e-mail lutz.nasdala[at]univie.ac.at.