Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Mineral Physics

Fixed term until 31 March 2025

The Department of Earth Sciences seeks a Postdoctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) to be responsible for carrying out research on planetary ices (CH4, H2O) at high-pressure/-temperatures employing (time-resolved) Synchrotron x-ray diffraction in diamond-anvil cells as well as Brillouin Spectroscopy in the laboratory.

They will will focus on the optimization and application of the heated diamond-anvil cell to study planetary ices and phase transitions and quantify their physical properties. The post holder will regularly spend time at Synchrotron Radiation Facilities and perform in-house Brillouin Spectroscopy measurements.

The post holder will also provide guidance to less experienced members of the research group, in particular the PhD students and Master students.

The post holder will be responsible for managing their own academic research and administrative activities, involving small scale project management to co-ordinate multiple aspects of work to meet deadlines.

They will adapt existing and develop new scientific techniques and experimental protocols and test hypotheses and analyse scientific data from a variety of sources, reviewing and refining working hypotheses as appropriate.

They will contribute ideas for new research projects and collaborate in the preparation of scientific reports and journal articles and occasionally present papers and posters.

About you

You will hold, or be close to completion, of a relevant PhD/DPhil  and possess sufficient specialist knowledge in the discipline to work within established research programmes.

You will have relevant experience in experimental high-pressure and/or high-temperature research. 

You will be able to manage you own academic research and have previous experience of contributing to publications/presentations and contributing ideas for new research projects and research income generation.

You must also have excellent communication skills including the ability to write for publication, present research proposals and results, and represent the research group at meetings.

Knowledge of diamond-anvil cell experiments would be desirable, along with experience of optical spectroscopy (ideally Brillouin), and laser- or resistive-heating and/or synchrotron work.

For further details of the role please see the job description.

This post is fixed term until 31 March 2025.

The deadline for applications is midday on Monday 15th January 2024

You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and ethnic minority candidates, who are under-represented in research posts in the Department.