Research Assistant

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.  

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.  We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

The Department

Durham Earth Sciences is one of the best UK Earth Science departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in research and teaching. It is consistently ranked in the top 5 of UK departments and is within the global top 40. 

The department has around 35 academic staff, 15 research staff, 40 PhD students, 20 MSc by research students and 250 undergraduate students. Its research covers a spectrum of Earth Science disciplines around three broad themes: Earth Surface Processes and Hazards; Climate, Environment, and Resources; Physics and Chemistry of Earth and Planetary Processes. The themes reflect our aim not only to undertake fundamental and intrinsically excellent research, but also research of societal importance. 

The Department of Earth Sciences holds a departmental Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of its efforts to promote gender equality and address challenges particular to the earth sciences. 

More information on the department, its research and its facilities can be found here .

The Role 

We invite applications for a one-year research assistant, to work on the topic of “Heat storage in abandoned coal mines.” The successful candidate will become an employee of Durham University.

This post will be part of the ICHS project, which aims to explore the feasibility of storing waste heat from Durham University’s data centre into those mine workings underneath its Science Site campus. Heat transport into the mine workings will be enabled through the drilling of two bore holes into those mine workings to set up an open-loop circulation system. The long-term aim will be to develop a system that balances the supply and demand of heat across the seasons. Such system will support UKRI’s aspiration to be net zero for its entire research undertaking by 2040, which includes any data centres it supports.

The Project

The successful candidate will perform research to assess the feasibility of storing heat into the mine workings during the summer months and retrieving the heat again during the winter to be used for heating buildings. This research will be performed through numerical modelling studies and experimental data collection.

Responsibilities

• To use existing software to explore the potential of mine water heating for specific sites and more generally.
• To calibrate those models against available data.
• To support hydrogeologists in building a map of regional groundwater flow.
• To collect and process experimental data from the drilling experiments that are part of this ICHS project.

• To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To participate in collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with colleagues in various research groups at the University of Durham, industrial partners, and government bodies to ensure smooth logistical operation of the project.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To assist in contributing to support student projects on the use of research methods and equipment. 
• To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
• To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
• To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.   

This post is fixed term for a 12 month post on a fixed term basis due to the time limited nature of the funding.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 1st August 2024.

Working at Durham 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.  
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled  into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

If you have any questions about this position, or if you wish to discuss matters informally before you apply, please contact Prof Jeroen van Hunen ([email protected] ).

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]  

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

How to Apply  

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.  

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.  

Submitting your application 

We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

• A CV; including the names and contact details of two referees.
• A cover letters explaining your interest in the project and a detailed account of your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.  

Next Steps 

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person. The assessment for the post will normally include an interview and presentation to the interview panel.  

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.   

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria:

1. A good first degree in Earth Sciences, Geoscience, Applied Mathematics, Engineering or other similarly relevant degree.

2. Demonstrable experience in conducting research e.g. a dissertation project.

3. Demonstrable experience in programming in Matlab, Python, or C++.

4. Interest in collaboration with industrial and public-sector partners.

5. Affinity for mathematical tasks.

6. Interest in a multi-disciplinary research environment.

7. Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

8. Ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria:

9. Experience with numerical modelling software.

10. Knowledge of geothermal energy.