Applications are invited for a three-year postdoctoral research position in ‘slippery liquid infused porous surfaces in the earth sciences’,funded by  Northumbria University.  The successful candidate will be part of the multi-disciplinary research theme ‘Extreme Environments’ and will be based in the Department of Geography & Environmental Sciences, within the Faculty of Engineering & Environment at Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK.

The project will focus on developing our understanding of the role played by slippery liquid infused porous surfaces (SLIPS) in the earth sciences. This will involve investigations into the physical, chemical and biological drivers controlling SLIPS that are believed to generate instability and failure in geomorphological settings from ice sheets to deep ocean debris flows. The successful candidate will collect field samples to analyse microbial communities in sediments before conducting physical contact and sliding angle experiments to ascertain the importance of microbial substrates in generating SLIPS. Geochemical experiments, investigating hydrocarbons as SLIP initiators in varying geomorphological settings will also be undertaken. The post holder will also be expected to set up and run ices heet and debris flow models to investigate how SLIPS control instability and failure in ice sheet and slope systems.

The candidate will work with Professor John Woodward with support from staff in Engineering & Environment, Health &Life Sciences and collaborators at Edinburgh University. The successful candidate will have, or be close to completion of, a PhD in geosciences or a related discipline. Experience in laboratory SLIP experiments, laboratory analysis of hydrocarbons and field sedimentology skills are essential. Knowledge of ice sheet modelling and microbial sequencing is desirable. The post will commence on 1st October 2021.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Professor John Woodward via Faye Menzies (faye.menzies@northumbria.ac.uk).

Interview Date: w/c 17th May 

To apply for this vacancy please click 'Apply Now', and submit a covering letter, CV including research /education statements, and grants and publications list. Please highlight your highest quality research outputs (please indicate a rank from 1 to 4) up to a maximum of 4, since 2017.  In addition, candidates are asked to provide copies of the top 2 research outputs (Journal / book chapter /practice-based portfolio).Where possible candidates are asked to combine all of these documents into a single file.

Northumbria University takes pride in, and values, the quality and diversity of our staff. We welcome applications from all members of the community. The University holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to improving employment practices for the advancement of gender equality and is a member of the Euraxess network, which delivers information and support to professional researchers.

We welcome applications from the UK and across the world.Visit our web pages for details about the Information and Support for International Colleagues.

Please note this vacancy will close on 02/05/2021