Job Description

Start Date: 1 November 2023, or as soon as possible thereafter (within 2-3 months of this date).
Fixed Term: 30 months (2.5 years).
Full-time: 36.25 hrs per week.

We are looking to recruit a Post-doctoral Research Fellow to join our UKRI-funded project \xe2\x80\x9cTaking Earth\'s volcanic pulse: understanding global volcanic hazards by unlocking the ice core archive\xe2\x80\x9d. This exciting opportunity will apply innovative techniques and protocols to extract new information on the source, style, and climate impact of past volcanism from ice core records. This role is focused on cryptotephra records which will be used to pinpoint the geotectonic setting and source of past eruptions.

The overarching goal of this research project is to radically improve records of large magnitude volcanic events. This is critical for improving societal resilience to future eruptions, but also explores exciting interdisciplinary questions about whether past episodes of human societal upheaval were triggered by explosive volcanism. The polar ice cores represent the finest time-resolved archive of recent volcanism, yet for most of these eruptions we have no idea which volcano was responsible, nor confirmation that the event was stratospheric and had a global climate impact.

The is directly addressing these challenges and have developed novel procedures to extract and chemically analyse ice core cryptotephra using our newly established and state-of-the-art laser ablation and electron microprobe facilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for mounting and performing geochemical analysis on ice core cryptotephra samples from Greenland and Antarctica. They will lead subsequent data processing and interpretation of these results, integrate them with isotopic analyses that will be done in tandem, and publish these findings in high-quality international journals. The project will likely involve sampling visits to ice core repositories (in UK and Europe) as well close collaboration and networking with a wider of team of international project partners.

Strong candidates will have technical expertise in microanalysis by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Electron Microprobe (EPMA) and/or Laser Ablation ICP-MS, and it would be desirable to have expertise in volcanology and geochemical analysis. The postdoctoral researcher would join a dynamic cohort of researchers within the School of Earth & Environmental Sciences. They would be encouraged and supported to attend international conferences and develop their personal and scientific career via the University\'s professional development programmes.

Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Will Hutchison, .

Applications are particularly welcome from people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented in research posts at the University.

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of the St Andrews experience. We strive to create a fair and inclusive culture demonstrated through our commitment to diversity awards (Athena Swan, Carer Positive, LGBT Charter, Race Charters and Stonewall). We celebrate diversity by promoting profiles of BAME, LGBTIQ+ staff and supporting networks including the Staff BAME Network; Staff with Disabilities Network; Staff LGBTIQ+ Network; and the Staff Parents & Carers Network. Full details available online:

Closing Date: 29 September 2023

Please quote ref: AR2854NK

Further Particulars:

\xc2\xa337,099 to \xc2\xa340,521 per annum.

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