Research topic:
Reconciling the Ediacaran and Cambrian fossil records of early animal evolution.
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in sedimentary geology/palaeoecology, to join a new NERC funded project. This project aims to gather fossil and geological data from spectacular new Ediacaran-age localities in southern Namibia to illuminate the early stages of animal evolution and diversification, and to ascertain the extent to which animals both drove, and responded to, major environmental shifts at the dawn of animal life. By constraining the depositional environments and palaeoecology of bedding plane assemblages at the new sites, we seek to fundamentally reshape knowledge of Ediacaran early animal ecosystems and their role in setting the stage for the ’Cambrian explosion’.
The project involves an international team of palaeontologists, geologists and geochemists from the University of Cambridge (A. Liu, B. O’Connell), University of Namibia (C. Uahengo) and the Namibian Earth Science Museum at the Geological Survey of Namibia (H. Mocke).
The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge and will work closely with Prof. Alex Liu and all co-investigators in the research team. They will either conduct sedimentary facies analysis, petrological research, and stratigraphic logging to constrain the physical depositional environments of in-situ early animal ecosystems and component organisms, and/or gather and interpret ichnological and palaeoecological data to reconstruct the ecosystem structure of these terminal Ediacaran fossil communities. Depending on the degree of diagenetic alteration the beds have experienced, there may be scope for targeted geochemical analyses to reconstruct aspects of the ocean chemical conditions experienced by the organisms. We welcome applicants with geochemical expertise, but this will not be the main focus of the post.
Applicants must have (or be about to obtain) a PhD in sedimentary geology or palaeoecology. Previous experience of undertaking geological fieldwork and either sedimentological facies analysis or palaeoecological research is required, and a knowledge of geochemical techniques, sedimentary petrology and/or ichnology is desirable. The research will involve data collection during fieldwork in southern Namibia, which the candidate will be required to participate in.
The successful candidate will be highly motivated, have good communication skills and ideally a strong publication record (commensurate with their career stage). Attending and presenting results at international conferences will be supported and encouraged, as will involvement in outreach activities. The successful applicant will be mentored and supported in developing their career and research interests by the Principal Investigator and University of Cambridge Postdoc Academy.
Fixed-term:
The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance, based on an anticipated start date of 01 April 2026.
Salary ranges:
Research Associate: £37,694-£46,049 (Grade 7). Appointment at the Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be under‑appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38: £34,610), moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of their PhD award.
Application materials:
Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter explaining your motivation and experience for the role, and publication list in the upload section. If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested they will not be considered as part of your application.
Equality, diversity and inclusion:
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.
£33,002 to £46,049. Grade 5-7
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