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
2021
Conference Publication
Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the development of the Dun Mountain Ophiolite, New Zealand
Patias, Daniel, Zhou, Renjie and Aitchison, Jonathan (2021). Geochronological and geochemical constraints on the development of the Dun Mountain Ophiolite, New Zealand. AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting 2021, New Orleans, United States, 13-17 December 2021.
2020
Conference Publication
Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Antofalla Basin in the Puna Plateau, NW Argentina
McMillan, Mitchell, Tye, Alexander Robert Robert , Schoenbohm, Lindsay M, Zhou, Renjie and McMillan, Malcolm F (2020). Cenozoic tectonic evolution of the Antofalla Basin in the Puna Plateau, NW Argentina. AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting 2020, San Francisco, CA, United States, 1-17 December, 2020.
2020
Other Outputs
Teaching an online tectonics field trip during COVID-19
Zhou, Renjie and Aitchison, Jonathan C. (2020, 12 01). Teaching an online tectonics field trip during COVID-19 TAG/The Australian Geologist by The Geological Society of Australia 27-28.
2020
Conference Publication
The significance of Upper Jurassic felsic volcanic rocks within the incipient, intraoceanic Dras Arc, Ladakh, NW Himalaya
Walsh, Jessica Margaret June, Buckman, Solomon, Nutman, Allen P. and Zhou, Renjie (2020). The significance of Upper Jurassic felsic volcanic rocks within the incipient, intraoceanic Dras Arc, Ladakh, NW Himalaya. AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting 2020, San Francisco, CA, United States, 1-17 December, 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Exhumation and uplift of the Ladakh Range, NW Himalaya: New constraints from low-temperature thermochronology
Zhou, Renjie, Aitchison, Jonathan C and Sobel, Edward R (2020). Exhumation and uplift of the Ladakh Range, NW Himalaya: New constraints from low-temperature thermochronology. AGU (American Geophysical Union) Fall Meeting 2020, San Francisco, CA, United States, 1-17 December, 2020.
2020
Journal Article
Revisiting growth and decline of late Quaternary mega-lakes across the south-central Tibetan Plateau
Jonell, Tara N., Aitchison, Jonathan C., Li, Guoqiang, Shulmeister, James, Zhou, Renjie and Zhang, Haixia (2020). Revisiting growth and decline of late Quaternary mega-lakes across the south-central Tibetan Plateau. Quaternary Science Reviews, 248 106475, 106475. doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2020.106475
2020
Journal Article
Rapid Eocene exhumation of the West Qinling Belt: implications for the growth of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau
Zhang, Yi-Peng, Zheng, Wen-Jun, Wang, Wei-Tao, Tian, Yun-Tao, Zhou, Renjie, Xu, Bin-Bin, Li, Min-Juan, Yan, Yong-Gang, Tian, Qing-Ying and Zhang, Pei-Zhen (2020). Rapid Eocene exhumation of the West Qinling Belt: implications for the growth of the Northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Lithosphere, 2020 (1) 8294751, 1-12. doi: 10.2113/2020/8294751
2020
Journal Article
Diffuse deformation in the SE Tibetan Plateau: new insights from geodetic observations
Li, Zhangjun, Wang, Yang, Gan, Weijun, Fang, Lihua, Zhou, Renjie, Seagren, Erin G., Zhang, Huiping, Liang, Shiming, Zhuang, Wenquan and Yang, Fan (2020). Diffuse deformation in the SE Tibetan Plateau: new insights from geodetic observations. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 125 (10) e2020JB019383. doi: 10.1029/2020jb019383
2020
Journal Article
Cenozoic Exhumation of the Ailaoshan‐Red River Shear Zone: New Insights From Low‐Temperature Thermochronology
Wang, Yang, Wang, Yuejun, Schoenbohm, Lindsay M., Zhang, Peizhen, Zhang, Bo, Sobel, Edward R., Zhou, Renjie, Shi, Xuhua, Zhang, Jinjiang, Stockli, Daniel F. and Guo, Xiaofei (2020). Cenozoic Exhumation of the Ailaoshan‐Red River Shear Zone: New Insights From Low‐Temperature Thermochronology. Tectonics, 39 (9) e2020TC006151. doi: 10.1029/2020tc006151
2020
Journal Article
Paleogene sediment provenance and paleogeographic reconstruction of the South Yellow Sea Basin, East China: constraints from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and heavy mineral assemblages
Zhu, Xiangfeng, Shen, Chuanbo, Zhou, Renjie, Xu, Jianyong, Zhao, Jianxin, Wang, Liang and Ge, Xiang (2020). Paleogene sediment provenance and paleogeographic reconstruction of the South Yellow Sea Basin, East China: constraints from detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology and heavy mineral assemblages. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 553 109776, 109776. doi: 10.1016/j.palaeo.2020.109776
2020
Journal Article
Silurian sedimentation in the South Qilian Belt: arc‐continent collision‐related deposition in the NE Tibet Plateau?
Yan, Zhen, Fu, Changlei, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Zhou, Renjie, Buckman, Solomon and Chen, Lei (2020). Silurian sedimentation in the South Qilian Belt: arc‐continent collision‐related deposition in the NE Tibet Plateau?. Acta Geologica Sinica - English Edition, 94 (4) 1755-6724.14551, 901-913. doi: 10.1111/1755-6724.14551
2020
Other Outputs
Virtual field trip to the New England Orogen (Version 1)
Zhou, Renjie and Aitchison, Jonathan C. (2020). Virtual field trip to the New England Orogen (Version 1). The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/e050a7f
2020
Journal Article
Eocene foraminifers of the Naga Hills of Manipur, Indo-Myanmar Range (IMR): Implications on age and basin evolution
Lokho, Kapesa, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Whiso, Kezhakielie, Lhoupenyi, David, Zhou, Renjie and Raju, D.S.N. (2020). Eocene foraminifers of the Naga Hills of Manipur, Indo-Myanmar Range (IMR): Implications on age and basin evolution. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 191 104259, 104259. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2020.104259
2020
Journal Article
Unroofing the Ladakh Batholith: constraints from autochthonous molasse of the Indus Basin, NW Himalaya
Zhou, Renjie, Aitchison, Jonathan C., Lokho, Kapesa, Sobel, Edward R., Feng, Yuexing and Zhao, Jian-xin (2020). Unroofing the Ladakh Batholith: constraints from autochthonous molasse of the Indus Basin, NW Himalaya. Journal of the Geological Society, 177 (4), jgs2019-188. doi: 10.1144/jgs2019-188
2020
Other Outputs
Organic-mineral interactions constraints on electrical conductivity of organic-rich shales in the non-marine basin
Jia, Jianliang, Zhou, Renjie and Liu, Zhaojun (2020). Organic-mineral interactions constraints on electrical conductivity of organic-rich shales in the non-marine basin. doi: 10.1002/essoar.10502244.1
2020
Journal Article
Tectono-thermal evolution of Cambrian–Ordovician source rocks and implications for hydrocarbon generation in the eastern Tarim Basin, NW China
Yang, Peng, Wu, Guanghui, Ren, Zhanli, Zhou, Renjie, Zhao, Jianxin and Zhang, Liping (2020). Tectono-thermal evolution of Cambrian–Ordovician source rocks and implications for hydrocarbon generation in the eastern Tarim Basin, NW China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 194 104267, 104267. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2020.104267
2020
Other Outputs
Late Quaternary lake shorelines and ages, south-central Tibetan Plateau
Jonell, Tara, Aitchison, Jonathan, Li, Guoqiang, Shulmeister, James, Zhou, Renjie and Zhang, Haixia (2020). Late Quaternary lake shorelines and ages, south-central Tibetan Plateau. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.14264/95ccdf2
2020
Conference Publication
Cimmerian timing of nappe emplacement in the North East Pamir
Rembe, Johannes, Sobel, Edward, Kley, Jonas, Zhou, Renjie, Wemmer, Klaus, Chen, Jie and Liu, Langtao (2020). Cimmerian timing of nappe emplacement in the North East Pamir. GeoUtrecht 2020, Utrecht, Netherlands, 24-26 August 2020.
2020
Journal Article
Late Cretaceous-Eocene magmatism induced by slab rollback and breakoff in the Tengchong terrane, SW China
He, Xiaohu, Zhou, Renjie, Tan, Shucheng, Liu, Zheng, Wang, Guochang, Jiang, Ziqi and Cao, Yuan (2020). Late Cretaceous-Eocene magmatism induced by slab rollback and breakoff in the Tengchong terrane, SW China. International Geology Review, 63 (3), 294-316. doi: 10.1080/00206814.2019.1709567
2020
Conference Publication
Control of pre-existing crustal architecture on Cenozoic formation of the Pamir
Sobel, Edward, Rembe, Johannes, Kley, Jonas, Zhou, Renjie, Terbishalieva, Baiansuluu and Chen, Jie (2020). Control of pre-existing crustal architecture on Cenozoic formation of the Pamir. EGU (European Geosciences Union) General Assembly 2020, Vienna, Austria, 4-8 May 2020. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu2020-12995
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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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
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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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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