Overview
Research topic: Plume-ridge interaction: linking melt pathways in the mantle with surface volcanism and ecological marine "superhighways" in the Galápagos. Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in igneous petrology/geochemistry, to join a new NSF-NERC funded project. The project aims to develop a transformative understanding of how mantle plume-derived melts interact with the global mid-ocean ridge system, shape surface volcanism and associated ecosystems. The Galápagos Islands provide an archetypal setting for investigating these processes.
The project involves an international team of petrologists, geophysicists and ecologists from the Universities of Cambridge (S. Gibson), Penn State (T. Mittal) and Berkeley (M. Richards), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (S. Constable) and the Charles Darwin Research Station in Galápagos. The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge and will work closely with Prof. Sally Gibson and all co-investigators in the research team. An additional Postdoctoral Research Associate in geophysics has been appointed for the same project at Penn State, working on physical models of melt transport, with whom the candidate would interact.
Responsibilities
* Undertake petrological investigations and geochemical analyses, together with numerical models, to place novel constraints on the delivery of deep-sourced plume melts to the global ridge system.
* Collaborate with an international team of scientists from Cambridge, Penn State, Berkeley, Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Galápagos researchers.
* Utilise state-of-the-art analytical facilities in Cambridge (e.g., EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, QEMSCAN) and Edinburgh (SIMS) and work with established sample collections.
* Participate in a research cruise off the Galápagos and contribute to project meetings, data interpretation and publication of results.
Qualifications
* PhD in petrology and geochemistry (or about to obtain).
* Previous experience in petrology and geochemical analysis is required.
* Knowledge of numerical modelling of mantle-derived melts is desirable.
* Proficiency with the stated facilities for sample preparation and analysis (EPMA, LA-ICP-MS, QEMSCAN, SIMS) or equivalent, and willingness to work with samples held in established collections.
* Strong motivation, good communication skills, and ideally a strong publication record commensurate with career stage.
Terms and Benefits
Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 17 months in the first instance, based on a latest start date of 01 February 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 process
Click the Apply button to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online. Further information about the role can be found in the Further Particulars. Enquiries can be sent to the Principal Investigator Sally Gibson (sally@esc.cam.ac.uk).
Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV), a covering letter and publications 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. Please quote reference LB47307 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.
The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Eligibility and location
Based in Cambridge, United Kingdom.
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