Skip to main content

This job has expired

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Employer
DURHAM UNIVERSITY
Location
Durham
Salary
£33797 per annum
Closing date
12 Mar 2020

The Role

We invite applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University on a project funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, "Magma mush eruptibility: the lifetime of mobile magma". The position is fixed term for 36 months with a preferred start date before 1st April 2020. The project team includes Dr Madeleine Humphreys, Dr Fabian Wadsworth, Dr Alex Iveson (Durham) & Dr Richard Brooker (Bristol).

The aim of the project is to develop new textural methods to determine the lifetime of mobile magma bodies in the crust. The project will define experimentally how crystal aspect ratios vary with undercooling for hydrous, silicic melts. This will be developed into a general model and applied to specific natural case studies in order to bring new insights into the distribution of melt and the architecture of sub-volcanic plumbing systems.

The successful applicant will be expected to perform and analyse a series of high-temperature experiments at a range of undercoolings; to work with the project team to develop a more general model to describe aspect ratio as a function of undercooling; and to undertake textural characterization of natural samples for validation of the model, with specific application to Mount St Helens, USA and Soufriere Hills, Montserrat. The PDRA will work with members of the project team to interpret and model the results and produce high-impact publications based on the findings. They will also work with project partners to integrate the petrological findings with insights from geophysical sources and numerical modelling. The PDRA will benefit from close interaction with a wide range of collaborators in an inter-disciplinary environment, and will be expected to attend conferences to present their work. The PDRA will join the vibrant volcanology group at Durham University, and will further benefit from the Department's mentoring programme for Early Career Researchers. PDRAs are encouraged to co-supervise MSc and undergraduate research projects.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the general activities of the volcanology group and participate actively in the intellectual life of the department. There may be opportunities to teach/demonstrate in labs and field classes depending on the interests of the successful candidate.

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert