Jonathan Matchett

Profile

I am a PhD Student in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds.

I have always had a love of geology from a young age, including collecting rocks, minerals and gems and pestering my family with questions about how and why the land formed in particular ways. 

Later, I went on to study an integrated Master’s of Earth Science – Exploration and Resource Geology at Cardiff University between 2017 and 2021, where I gained a first class honours degree. My third year dissertation focussed on using Salt Domes in the Barents Sea for Carbon Capture and Storage purposes. My Masters dissertation looked into modelling the compositional variations that theoretically made up troctolites in the Northern Limb of the Bushveld Complex, allowing me to work with members of the NL4D consortium. 

After studying at Cardiff University, I went on to work in the department where I gained my degree, as a Postgraduate and Software Teaching Technician. Here I gained invaluable skills in teaching, risk assessments, laboratory management, software licensing, fieldwork and a whole host of other skills. 

I then came home to Northern Ireland, where I studied for and completed a PGDip in Geographic Information Systems from Ulster University, whilst also undertaking a work placement with the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland. During this time, I also worked as an Education Assistant in Armagh Planetarium. 

After studying at Ulster University, I went onto to find a job there, working as an Athena Swan Support Assistant. 

I still work part time at Ulster University, in the role listed above, whilst also completing my PhD Project part time at the University of Leeds. 

My current research is titled: Rotten Rocks at the Heart of Black Smoker Systems

I am working with IODP rocks, gathered by expidition 399 (led by Andrew McCaig and Susan Lang) and primarily investigating reaction porosity in sub seafloor rocks. 

In summary, my research aims are as follows:

• Characterising reaction porosity in the Atlantis Massif and Lost City Hydrothermal Field
• Understanding the structural and chemical processes that promote the generation of reaction porosity
• Recreating the conditions through which reaction porosity is generated
• Quantifying the possiblity of reaction porosity being an environment in which life can thrive

My Supervisors are Dr Andrew McCaig (primary) and Professor Sandra Piazolo (academic). 

I’d love to hear from you if have any questions about my research, myself, or anything else! 

Qualifications

• MESci - Exploration and Resource Geology
• PGDip - GIS
• Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society
• KGVI Youth Leadership Award