Overview
Background
New PhD scholarship in 2025: I have an open PhD position in my group with collaboration opportunities with government and industry partners (Check out this scholarship with this link).
For international applicants: Please get in touch with me with a copy of your CV to discuss potential projects and application timelines for scholarships.
I am a Senior Lecturer in Geochronology and Tectonics. I am also an Advance Queensland Industry Research Fellow working on using geochronology (and thermochronology) and micro-analysis to improve knowledge in geoscience related to critical minerals. This Fellowship project is a key activity in my research group and I am always looking for motivated students and ECRs to join this research. It is sponsored by Queensland State Government and in collaboration with leading companies in the critical minerals industry.
Here's my recent seminar on some of the work in my group: https://youtu.be/twNcLECCqPg?si=501qcfSA2mJdHxUh
Broadly speaking, my research advances fundamentals of Plate Tectonics, the unique and unifying theory for our home planet. My group uses a set of field, laboratory, and computational approaches to reveal the geologic history of modern and ancient plate boundaries, focusing on reconstructing the evolution of plate-margin mountains and basins. Such regions are among the most dynamic in the Earth system: their development alters regional and global climate, impacts biogeographic evolution, triggers earthquakes and other geologic hazards, and determines formation and distribution of natural resources such as critical minerals. I have been fortunate to work in some of the most rewarding areas for geologists, including the Himalaya-Tibetan Plateau, Central Andes, eastern Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Islands. Check out some of my field photos here. I am the lead of UQ Thermochronology Lab. As an in-depth user of UQ RIF (Radiogenic Isotope Facility), I also work with laser ablation ICP-MS with recent work around laser ablation geochronology and geochemistry.
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Editorial activities: I am a Subject Editor for Journal of the Geological Society and a member of the Editorial Board for Results in Earth Sciences. I am the lead Editor for issue 'Geochronology and Critical Minerals Systems' at Ore Geology Reviews. More information could be found here.
Teaching activities: My teaching duties range from delivering introductory courses, upper-year disciplinary courses, to research training courses. Here's a YouTube video of one of my courses: https://youtu.be/31TV3wUOv1Q
Availability
- Dr Renjie Zhou is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, Jilin University
- Masters (Research) of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Toronto
Works
Search Professor Renjie Zhou’s works on UQ eSpace
2022
Journal Article
Geochronology, geochemistry, and geodynamic implications of Permo-Triassic back-arc basin successions in the North Pamir, Central Asia
Rembe, Johannes, Sobel, Edward R., Kley, Jonas, Terbishalieva, Baiansulu, Musiol, Antje, Chen, Jie and Zhou, Renjie (2022). Geochronology, geochemistry, and geodynamic implications of Permo-Triassic back-arc basin successions in the North Pamir, Central Asia. Lithosphere, 2022 (1) 7514691, 1-21. doi: 10.2113/2022/7514691
2022
Journal Article
Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of oncolites in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation of the Upper Yangtze Area, China: Implications for their Paleo-environment
Sun, Yaobin, Zhang, Yunfeng, Xi, Aihua, Tang, Yu, Zhou, Renjie, Liu, Dongxi and Chen, Shouchun (2022). Petrographic and geochemical characteristics of oncolites in the Ediacaran Dengying Formation of the Upper Yangtze Area, China: Implications for their Paleo-environment. Sedimentary Geology, 442 106296, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2022.106296
2022
Journal Article
Kinematics and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Lincang-Inthanon tectonic belt: Implication for Cenozoic tectonic extrusion of SE Asia
Wang, Yang, Wang, Yuejun, Zhang, Peizhen, Zhang, Jinjiang, Zhang, Bo, Zhang, Yuzhi, Zhou, Renjie, Seagren, Erin G., Qian, Xin and Li, Zhangjun (2022). Kinematics and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of the Lincang-Inthanon tectonic belt: Implication for Cenozoic tectonic extrusion of SE Asia. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 134 (11-12), 2854-2866. doi: 10.1130/B36187.1
2022
Journal Article
The distribution and substitution mechanism of trace elements in cassiterites: constraints from LA-ICP-MS U Pb dating, elemental mapping and in situ trace element analyses of the Gejiu tin polymetallic deposit, SW China
He, Xiaohu, Zhao, Jianxin, Zhou, Renjie, Feng, Yuexing, Leonard, Nicole, Li, Fei, Liu, Zheng, Li, Wanting and Tan, Shucheng (2022). The distribution and substitution mechanism of trace elements in cassiterites: constraints from LA-ICP-MS U Pb dating, elemental mapping and in situ trace element analyses of the Gejiu tin polymetallic deposit, SW China. Chemical Geology, 609 121063, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.121063
2022
Journal Article
Constraint on the temperature of A-type magma from contact metamorphic aureole, Biesituobie batholith, West Junggar in NW China, Central Asian Orogenic Belt
Chen, Yichao, Liu, Jiahui, Zhou, Renjie, Xiao, Wenjiao, Zhang, Ji’en, Zhang, Zhiyong, Zhang, Qian W. L., Li, Zhen M. G. and Wu, Chunming (2022). Constraint on the temperature of A-type magma from contact metamorphic aureole, Biesituobie batholith, West Junggar in NW China, Central Asian Orogenic Belt. GSA Bulletin, 135 (5-6), 1-15. doi: 10.1130/b36541.1
2022
Journal Article
Extensional magmatism caused by strain partitioning: insights from the mafic dikes hosted in Biesituobie batholith in West Junggar, CAOB
Chen, Yichao, Liu, Jiahui, Zhou, Renjie, Xiao, Wenjiao, Zhang, Ji'en, Zhang, Zhiyong, Zhang, Qian W. L., Li, Zhen M. G. and Wu, Chunming (2022). Extensional magmatism caused by strain partitioning: insights from the mafic dikes hosted in Biesituobie batholith in West Junggar, CAOB. International Journal of Earth Sciences, 112 (1), 1-17. doi: 10.1007/s00531-022-02234-w
2022
Conference Publication
Dating podiform chromitite, Tiébaghi Cr deposit, New Caledonia
Cluzel, Dominique, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Zhou, Renjie, Ireland, Trevor, Heizler, Matthew, Patias, Daniel, Lesimple, Stephane, Maurizot, Pierre and Teyssier, Christian (2022). Dating podiform chromitite, Tiébaghi Cr deposit, New Caledonia. 23rd International Mineralogical Association General Meeting, Lyon, France, 18-22 July 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Variation in pore space and structure of organic-rich oil-prone shales from a non-marine basin: constraints from organic matter and minerals
Jia, Jianliang, Liu, Zhaojun, Zhou, Renjie, Liu, Rong and Gao, Yuan (2022). Variation in pore space and structure of organic-rich oil-prone shales from a non-marine basin: constraints from organic matter and minerals. Acta Geologica Sinica, 96 (3), 1057-1069. doi: 10.1111/1755-6724.14794
2022
Journal Article
Direct dating of podiform Chromitite: U-Pb (Zircon, Rutile) and 40Ar/39Ar (Pargasite) evidence from Tiébaghi Cr deposit (New Caledonia)
Cluzel, Dominique, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Zhou, Renjie, Ireland, Trevor, Heizler, Matthew, Patias, Daniel, Lesimple, Stephane, Maurizot, Pierre and Teyssier, Christian (2022). Direct dating of podiform Chromitite: U-Pb (Zircon, Rutile) and 40Ar/39Ar (Pargasite) evidence from Tiébaghi Cr deposit (New Caledonia). Ore Geology Reviews, 145 104873, 104873. doi: 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2022.104873
2022
Journal Article
Eocene to Quaternary deformation of the Southern Puna Plateau: Thermochronology, geochronology, and structural geology of an Andean Hinterland Basin (NW Argentina)
McMillan, Mitchell, Schoenbohm, Lindsay M., Tye, Alexander, McMillan, Malcolm F. and Zhou, Renjie (2022). Eocene to Quaternary deformation of the Southern Puna Plateau: Thermochronology, geochronology, and structural geology of an Andean Hinterland Basin (NW Argentina). Tectonics, 41 (6) e2022TC007252. doi: 10.1029/2022tc007252
2022
Journal Article
Paleozoic ocean plate stratigraphy unraveled by calcite U-Pb dating of basalt and biostratigraphy
Andjić, Goran, Zhou, Renjie, Buchs, David M., Aitchison, Jonathan C. and Zhao, Jianxin (2022). Paleozoic ocean plate stratigraphy unraveled by calcite U-Pb dating of basalt and biostratigraphy. Communications Earth and Environment, 3 (1) 113. doi: 10.1038/s43247-022-00446-1
2022
Journal Article
Compositional signatures of ophiolitic rocks from the Dongco massif: novel insights into the evolution of the central Tibetan Meso-Tethyan oceanic plateau
Yang, Peng, Huang, Qiang-tai, Zhang, Kai-Jun, Kapsiotis, Argyrios, Zheng, Hao, Peng, Tou-Ping, Zhou, Renjie, Yang, Qing-Kun, Luo, Wen-xing and Xia, Bin (2022). Compositional signatures of ophiolitic rocks from the Dongco massif: novel insights into the evolution of the central Tibetan Meso-Tethyan oceanic plateau. Lithos, 416-417 106660, 106660. doi: 10.1016/j.lithos.2022.106660
2022
Journal Article
Calcite U–Pb dating of altered ancient oceanic crust in the North Pamir, Central Asia
Rembe, Johannes, Zhou, Renjie, Sobel, Edward R., Kley, Jonas, Chen, Jie, Zhao, Jian-Xin, Feng, Yuexing and Howard, Daryl L. (2022). Calcite U–Pb dating of altered ancient oceanic crust in the North Pamir, Central Asia. Geochronology, 4 (1), 227-250. doi: 10.5194/gchron-4-227-2022
2022
Other Outputs
Supplementary files: Calcite U–Pb dating of altered ancient oceanic crust in the North Pamir, Central Asia
Rembe, Johannes, Zhou, Renjie, Sobel, Edward R., Kley, Jonas, Chen, Jie, Zhao, Jian-xin, Feng, Yuexing and Howard, Daryl L. (2022). Supplementary files: Calcite U–Pb dating of altered ancient oceanic crust in the North Pamir, Central Asia. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/8dba1c2
2022
Journal Article
Arc-continent collision during culmination of Proto-Tethyan Ocean closure in the Central Qilian belt, NE Tibetan Plateau
Yan, Zhen, Fu, Changlei, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Niu, Manlan, Buckman, Solomon, Xiao, Wenjiao, Zhou, Renjie, Chen, Lei and Li, Junhui (2022). Arc-continent collision during culmination of Proto-Tethyan Ocean closure in the Central Qilian belt, NE Tibetan Plateau. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America, 134 (11-12), 3079-3098. doi: 10.1130/B36328.1
2022
Journal Article
Late Cenozoic extensional formation of the Antofalla depression, southern Puna plateau, Argentina: an effect of lithospheric foundering?
Tye, Alexander, McMillan, Mitchell, Schoenbohm, Lindsay and Zhou, Renjie (2022). Late Cenozoic extensional formation of the Antofalla depression, southern Puna plateau, Argentina: an effect of lithospheric foundering?. Tectonics, 41 (3) e2021TC006807. doi: 10.1029/2021tc006807
2022
Journal Article
A single Dras‐Kohistan‐Ladakh arc revealed by volcaniclastic records
Andjić, Goran, Zhou, Renjie, Jonell, Tara N. and Aitchison, Jonathan C. (2022). A single Dras‐Kohistan‐Ladakh arc revealed by volcaniclastic records. G3: Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems, 23 (3) e2021GC010042. doi: 10.1029/2021gc010042
2022
Journal Article
Jurassic–Cretaceous arc magmatism along the Shyok–Bangong Suture from NW Himalaya: Formation of the peri-Gondwana basement to the Ladakh Arc
Saktura, Wanchese M., Buckman, Solomon, Nutman, Allen P. and Zhou, Renjie (2022). Jurassic–Cretaceous arc magmatism along the Shyok–Bangong Suture from NW Himalaya: Formation of the peri-Gondwana basement to the Ladakh Arc. Journal of the Geological Society, 179 (2) jgs2021-035, 1-24. doi: 10.1144/jgs2021-035
2022
Journal Article
Solid-phase transfer into the forearc mantle wedge: rutile and zircon xenocrysts fingerprint subducting sources
Aitchison, Jonathan C., Cluzel, Dominique, Ireland, Trevor R., Zhou, Renjie, Lian, Dongyang, Patias, Daniel, Yan, Zhen and Yang, Jingsui (2022). Solid-phase transfer into the forearc mantle wedge: rutile and zircon xenocrysts fingerprint subducting sources. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 577 117251, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.epsl.2021.117251
2022
Conference Publication
Ophiolitic biodiamonds – some of subduction’s little gems
Aitchison, Jonathan C., Cluzel, Dominique, Ireland, Trevor R., Patias, Daniel and Zhou, Renjie (2022). Ophiolitic biodiamonds – some of subduction’s little gems. AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting 2022, Chicago, IL, United States, 12-16 December 2022.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Renjie Zhou is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Available projects
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Research Projects
I have projects available for Honours and PhD students. Please email me for details.
UQ offers a competitive scholarship package, including full tuition support, stipends, and additional opportunities for tutoring or teaching assistantship. PhD students could commence their studies at UQ in January, April, July, or October. Get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about possible projects with our team.
-
Research Projects
I have projects available for Honours, MPhil, and PhD students. Please email me for details.
UQ offers a competitive scholarship package, including full tuition support, stipends, and additional opportunities for tutoring or teaching assistantship. PhD students could commence their studies at UQ in January, April, July, or October. Get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about possible projects with our team.
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Fingerprinting critical minerals development in continental margins
This is an exciting PhD opportunity involving industry and government collaboration in Queensland. It aims to develop new workflows in supporting the discovery of critical minerals (tungsten and other related minerals) in Paleozoic (~542 to 252 Ma) magmatic units in NE Queensland. Outcomes will enhance our understanding of magmatic and hydrothermal events associated with mineral deposits in eastern Australia by undertaking research in multi-system geochronology and geochemistry. Multi-laboratory workflows for mineral system characterisation will be developed and tested. Get in touch to learn more about this position.
-
Research Projects
I have projects available for Honours, MPhil, and PhD students. Please email me for details.
UQ offers a competitive scholarship package, including full tuition support, stipends, and additional opportunities for tutoring or teaching assistantships. PhD students could commence their studies at UQ in January, April, July, or October. Get in touch if you’re interested in learning more about possible projects with our team.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Geochronological and geochemical constraints on models for convergent Gondwana margins: Variscan, Delamerian and Mossman orogens
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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Doctor Philosophy
Continental exhumation of Northeast Queensland: Implications on the exposure and preservation of critical minerals systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jianxin Zhao
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Doctor Philosophy
Geochronological and geochemical constraints on models for convergent Gondwana margins: Delamerian, Mossman and Variscan Orogens
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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Doctor Philosophy
Cenozoic deformation in the South Tienshan and Tarim basin: constraints from geochronologhy and low-temperature thermochronology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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Master Philosophy
Structural architecture of South DAguilar-Beenleigh Subprovinces: Implications for development of critical infrastructure in Southeast Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mojtaba Rajabi
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Master Philosophy
Structural architecture of South DAguilar-Beenleigh Subprovinces: Implications for development of critical infrastructure in Southeast Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mojtaba Rajabi
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Doctor Philosophy
Advanced microCT application in radiolarian studies
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding early radiolarian evolution: taxonomy, phylogeny and taphonomy through Micro-CT
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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Doctor Philosophy
Diamonds in Ophiolites: recycling deep mantle into supra-subduction zones
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Geochronological and geochemical constraints on models for convergent Gondwana margins: Delamerian, Mossman and Variscan Orogens
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding New Zealand and New Caledonia forearc ophiolites using rare accessory minerals
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jonathan Aitchison
Media
Enquiries
Contact Dr Renjie Zhou directly for media enquiries about:
- earthquake
- geological hazard
- geological resource
- geology
- mountain building
- plate tectonics
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