Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Enhanced Rock Weathering

Geochemistry

Location:  National Oceanography Centre Southampton
Salary:   £34,314 to £37,386 Per Annum
Full Time Fixed Term -31/05/2026
Closing Date:  Wednesday 12 July 2023
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2331923HN

It is now clear that the active removal of atmospheric CO₂ is essential if we are to limit the increase in global average temperature to the 1.5 °C target set by the Paris Agreement. Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) is a geoengineering strategy that can help accelerate CO₂ sequestration by amending soils with crushed reactive rocks to increase the rate of weathering. The process also releases nutrients that can help fertilize crop growth and protect against crop pathogens, potentially lowering fertilizer and pesticide usage.

We seek a Research Fellow to join us in carrying out the world’s first field trials of ERW at sites in the USA, Sabah Malaysia and the UK. These large-scale trials are providing vital new constraints on the rates of rock weathering in different agricultural settings, and hence the extent to which ERW can mitigate global greenhouse gas emissions. Applicants should have considerable experience in the collection and chemical analysis of environmental samples (soils, drainage waters, rivers), well-developed self and time-management skills and the ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing are essential. The Research Fellow will be part of the interdisciplinary Leverhulme Centre for Climate Change Mitigation (www.lc3m.org), and will work in close collaboration with other researchers leading lab-based experiments and modelling activities.

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 post is available immediately and is funded through to 31 May 2026. 

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. Rachael James (R.H.James@soton.ac.uk) or Dr Christopher Pearce (C.R.Pearce@noc.ac.uk). Please apply online at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk.

The application deadline is midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need assistance, call Recruitment on  +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Quote the advert reference on all correspondence.