Simon Schorn, PhD
Geologist • petrology & modelling
Phone: (+43) 677 640 20351
Email: schorsim@uni-mainz.de
Metamorphic Processes | Institute of Geosciences
Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz
J.-J.-Becher-Weg 21
D-55128 Mainz, Germany
About Simon
Earth Scientist specializing in metamorphic processes, integrating fieldwork, petrography, experimental petrology, and modelling to quantify crustal dynamics. Focus on thermal and chemical diffusion to constrain rates and scales of processes driving subduction, exhumation, orogenic collapse, and crustal differentiation. Investigates cross-scale links between reaction energetics, thermally activated processes, and mineral zoning.
Skills & Expertise
Field Work
Petrography
Analytical Methods (EPMA, SEM)
Thermodynamic Modelling
Numerical Modelling
Experimental Petrology
Professional Experience
Apr 2024 – Present
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
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
2013, fall semester
ERASMUS-exchange
University of Aarhus
Denmark
Exchange semester abroad
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