Simon Schorn, PhD
Geologist • petrology & modelling
Phone: (+43) 677 640 20351
Email: simon.schorn@hotmail.com
RHI Magnesita Technology Center
Magnesitstraße 2
8700 Leoben
Austria
About Simon
Earth scientist combining thermodynamics, numerical modelling, and experimental observations to understand the physical and chemical processes governing geological and industrial materials. Currently applies this process-based approach to refractory behaviour and material and process development at RHI Magnesita, while maintaining research in metamorphic petrology. Research interests centre on heat and mass transfer, reaction energetics, and kinetics, linking mineral-scale transformations to the evolution of rocks and engineered materials.
Skills & Expertise
Thermodynamic Modelling
Numerical Modelling
Experimental Petrology
Petrography
Analytical Methods (EPMA, SEM)
Field Work
Professional Experience
Jun 2026 – Present
R&D Associate in Mineralogy
RHI Magenesita Technology Center
Austria
Role: Development and application of thermodynamic and numerical models to understand refractory behaviour and support material and process development and optimization.
Apr 2024 – Apr 2026
A. v. Humboldt Fellow
Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
Germany
oct 2020 – mar 2024
Post-doctoral Researcher
KF Universität Graz
Austria
Stand-alone project: P 3302-N On the hydration of high-grade metamorphic terranes funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) – € 241.416,84
oct 2019 – oct 2020
Post-doctoral Researcher
University of Melbourne
Australia
Project: Development of a new compositional-dependent equation of state (x-eos) for clinopyroxene. Supervisor: Eleanor C.R. Green
Educational Background
jan 2016 – jul 2019
PhD in Earth Sciences
University of Cape Town
South Africa
Thesis: High-temperature metamorphism in the western Namaqua–Natal Metamorphic Province (southern Africa): implications for low-pressure granulite terranes. Supervisor: Johann F.A. Diener – graduation 12.07.2019
2013, fall semester
ERASMUS-exchange
University of Aarhus
Denmark
Exchange semester abroad
oct 2012 – oct 2015
MSc in Earth Sciences
KF Universität Graz
Austria
Thesis: The polymetamorphic Saualpe Complex (Austria): Petrological insights from the Permian- & Eoalpine metamorphic events. Supervisor: Kurt Stüwe – graduated with distinction
sep 2009 – sep 2012
BSc in Earth Sciences
Universitá degli Studi di Padova
Italy
Thesis: Cataclastic flow and dissolution-precipitation creep in garnet: a hint for high strain rate deformation? Supervisor: Richard Spiess – graduated 110/110 cum laude
Grants & Awards
2024
Otto-Ampferer Award of the Austrian Geological Society
Awarded to geoscientists under 35 for outstanding contributions to Earth Sciences (€1,500)
2023
Felix-Machatschki Prize of the Austrian Mineralogical Society
Awarded for scientific publications in mineralogy by Austria-based researchers under 35 (€610)
2023
W.E. Petraschek Award of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Awarded to scientists under 35 for outstanding work in Earth sciences (€4,000)
Mike Brown early-career researcher award
Annual Early Career Research Paper Prize of the Journal of Metamorphic Geology