Job number
ENG03689
Faculties
Faculty of Engineering
Departments
Department of Earth Science & Engineering
Salary or Salary range
£49,017 - £57,472 per annum
Location/campus
South Kensington and White City Campus - Hybrid
Contract type work pattern
Full time - Fixed term
Posting End Date
14 Nov 2025
About the role
This Post-Doctoral Research Associate position is part of the UKRI NERC project "Can rocks palaeomagnetically record palaeo-stress?". The aim of this NERC project is to quantify how natural magnetic systems respond to stress at the nanometric scale.
Our recent modelling reveals that relatively modest stresses of ~0.1 GPa – common in active fault zones– can alter supposedly stable magnetic recordings in rocks ). This overturns the long-held belief that only extreme impacts could reset remanent magnetisation. To test this breakthrough, the project will combine cutting-edge experimental techniques with state-of-the-art numerical micromagnetic models.
Using the world's most advanced transmission electron microscopy, including off-axis electron holography, you will directly image stress-induced magnetic changes at the nanometre scale. Complementary focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) nanotomography and bulk magnetic measurements will capture how a wide range of natural minerals record stress. Together, these results will provide the first predictive framework for stress-induced magnetisation. If confirmed, this will not only reshape palaeomagnetic research but also unlock a powerful new tool: the ability to reconstruct palaeo-stress fields in rocks. This capability offers the potential for a step-change in long-term earthquake hazard assessment.
This position at Imperial will concentrate on the experimental side of the project, in particular the magnetic imaging side of the project. You will determine the response of magnetic signals to stress under the guidance of Adrian Muxworthy, Rafal Dunin-Borkowski and Tom Mitchell, whilst the numerical aspects of the project will be undertaken at Edinburgh.
What you would be doing
Working with the NERC project PI Adrian Muxworthy (Imperial), Co-Is Wyn Williams (Edinburgh) and Tom Mitchell (UCL), and Project Partner Rafal Dunin-Borkowski (Jülich, Germany), you will investigate the magnetic recording fidelity of natural magnetic minerals under compressional and tensional stress. This will be achieved using advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, in particular off-axis electron holography for nanometric magnetic imaging, combined with focused ion beam–scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) nanotomography. The electron-holography will be undertaken during visits to Rafal Dunin-Borkowski's laboratory in Jülich, Germany.
What we are looking for
* You will have extensive knowledge of detailed knowledge of a range of electron microscopy methods including TEM magnetic imaging and FIB slice-and-view, and sample preparation for these methods.
* You will have published or submitted several first author peer-reviewed scientific papers.
* You will be comfortable working independently, with several visits to Jülich Germany.
* You will have a PhD in Material Science, Earth Science or Physics or comparable subjects. No previous knowledge of Earth Science is required.
What we can offer you
* A chance to work on the exciting new earth science field linking stress and magnetism together, with applications in geohazards.
* The opportunity to work with world-leading experiments using state-of-the art instruments and numerical algorithms.
* The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution
* Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 38 days off a year)
Further information
This is a full-time position for up to 30 months.
Should you require any further details on the role please contact: Adrian Muxworthy –
Available documents
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Please note that job descriptions are not exhaustive, and you may be asked to take on additional duties that align with the key responsibilities mentioned above.
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About Imperial
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