PhD: Fossil floras and climates of the Smithian-Spathian extinction event

The Smithian-Spathian event (SSE) is a poorly understood mass extinction during the Early Triassic Epoch (~249 million years ago) driven by acute global cooling. Despite being an extinction event, the SSE was a key step in the evolution of life since it represents the primary ecosystem recovery phase ~3 million years after the worst mass extinction of all: the ‘hyperthermal’ end-Permian event (EPE; 252 million years ago).

This study will reveal the ecologic and climatic signatures during this recovery event. Data collection will focus on a range of geochemical proxies of climate change and plant microfossils. Building upon previously collected fossil and geochemical data sets, this project will form an integral part of a growing research collaboration between Ireland, Australia, Sweden and the USA.

The successful applicant will commence the project on the 30th of September, 2022.