Research Fellow in Geophysics

Geology & Geophysics

Location:  National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Salary:   £33,314 to £40,931 Per annum
Full Time Fixed Term (31/12/2025)
Closing Date:  Friday 10 February 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2138123HN

We seek a Research Fellow with a proven publication record to participate in controlled source electromagnetic (CSEM) and magnetotelluric (MT) data acquisition at sea, to develop resistivity models from the resulting data and to interpret these models using other relevant geophysical and geological data. We are particularly looking for someone with skills in marine CSEM but will consider applicants from other fields of geophysics.

The Research Fellow will join an international team in the project “Quantifying evolution of magmatism and serpentinization during the onset of seafloor spreading”, funded by the UK Natural Environment Research Council and the US National Science Foundation. The overall aim of this project is to quantify the evolution of serpentinisation and magmatism at a magma-poor rifted margin as seafloor spreading is initiated. Serpentinised mantle rocks are generally more conductive, often by about an order of magnitude, than mafic crustal rocks, so CSEM and MT techniques provide a promising route to resolve controversies around lithospheric structure. In July-August 2023, we will conduct the first joint CSEM, MT and seismic experiment in the continent-ocean transition at a rifted margin, to determine how competing processes of magmatism and serpentinisation evolve during the initiation of seafloor spreading. We will focus our work at the sediment-starved Goban Spur rifted margin southwest of the UK, which is uniquely suited to such a study because of its thin sediment cover, narrow continent-ocean transition and existing covering with deep seismic reflection data.

The position is based in the School of Ocean and Earth Science, which is located at the University of Southampton’s Waterfront Campus at the National Oceanography Centre Southampton. The research fellow will collaborate with project partners at the National Oceanography Centre, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, the University of Bremen and Geomar. Funding is available until 31/12/2025 and the successful applicant would need to be in post in Southampton by July 2023 at the latest.  

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. Tim Minshull (tmin@soton.ac.uk). Please apply online at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk.

We are proactive in fostering a culture of inclusion, respect, and equality of opportunity. We select candidates based on merit and ability and aspire to thrive in the diversity of our workforce.  We welcome applications from all candidates with an interest in the role and those who are committed to helping us create an inclusive work environment. We encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities.  

Application Procedure

You should submit your completed online application form at https://jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance, please call Sian Gale (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Please quote reference 2138123HN on all correspondence.