PhD in Geophysical Sciences - Evolution of Earth's Biosphere in Chicago United States | University of Chicago

Research addressing these central themes is explored through biogeochemical and microbial systems approaches (Coleman and Waldbauer), as well as paleontological and Earth history perspectives (Foote, Jablonski, Kidwell, Slater, Waldbauer, and Webster). Our methodologies encompass field studies across terrestrial and marine environments, physiological and genetic investigations, genomic and proteomic analyses, phylogenetic reconstructions, morphometric techniques, computational modeling, and statistical evaluations of both fossil records and contemporary ecosystems. Collaborative ties with interdisciplinary programs like evolutionary biology, biophysics, and microbiology, along with partnerships with institutions such as the Marine Biological Laboratory, Field Museum, and Argonne National Laboratory, provide outstanding avenues for cross-disciplinary research. We encourage students from diverse academic backgrounds—including biology, chemistry, and Earth sciences—to apply. The University of Chicago was home to Stanley Miller and Harold Urey's revolutionary experiments on prebiotic organic synthesis. For generations, the university has also led in paleontological research, notably through integrating modern biology with paleontology, as exemplified by David Raup and Jack Sepkoski's innovative contributions. While our research focus has adapted over time, we continue to prioritize fundamental questions with wide-ranging significance.