Academic positions and PhD opportunities

A practical starting point for geology, mineral-exploration, research, teaching, and PhD opportunities.

A simple workflow

Search in the right places

  • 1. Define the role and location

    Decide whether you are looking for a PhD, postdoctoral, research, teaching, technician, or academic position. Set a realistic list of countries, institutions, and research areas.

  • 2. Build a small set of search terms

    Combine role words with your field: for example, “postdoctoral geochemistry”, “lecturer geology”, “economic geology”, or “Earth materials”. Use several related terms because institutions name similar roles differently.

  • 3. Use specialist job boards as well as university sites

    Check EGU Jobs for Earth-science vacancies, then follow SEG, SGA, and GSA opportunities, student networks, meetings, and newsletters. Always read and apply through the institution's own vacancy page. Department and research-group pages can also reveal new projects and relevant contacts.

  • 4. Keep a simple tracker

    Record the position title, institution, deadline, required documents, contact person, and the status of your application. This avoids missed deadlines and makes follow-up easier.

  • 5. Tailor each application

    Read the full advert before writing. Make sure your CV, cover letter, research statement, and teaching statement directly address the stated duties and selection criteria.

  • 6. Ask focused questions when appropriate

    Contact the named person only when the advert invites questions or when you have a specific, useful question that is not answered in the advertisement.

Economic geology and exploration

Professional societies and funding

EGU Jobs

A useful Earth, planetary, and space-science job board for PhDs, postdoctoral roles, teaching posts, research jobs, and other geoscience opportunities.

Search EGU Jobs

SEG: Society of Economic Geologists

Check the student funding pages for research grants and Graduate Student Fellowships. The fellowship programme supports first-year Master's and PhD students in economic geology; dates and eligibility must be checked for each annual call.

Explore SEG student opportunities

SGA: Society for Geology Applied to Mineral Deposits

Follow SGA events, short courses, student chapters, and the SGA Mobility Grant. It can support research visits to specialist laboratories; eligibility, participating laboratories, and call details change over time.

Explore the SGA Mobility Grant

GSA: Geological Society of America

Graduate Student Research Grants can provide partial support for Master's and PhD research in the geological sciences. Specialised awards are considered through the general application.

Explore GSA grants and scholarships

PhD funding

Do not overlook targeted calls

Check the current call

Alongside university-funded PhDs, look for society fellowships, research grants, travel support, and targeted scholarships. Some calls are restricted by discipline, citizenship, region, career stage, or are intended for groups such as women and other underrepresented applicants. These are legitimate opportunities, but criteria and deadlines change: read the original call carefully before investing time in an application.