Overview
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in ice core science to join a Leverhulme Trust funded project. The project aims to extend our record of key greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere back in time via analysis of the oldest continuous ice core ever retrieved from Antarctica. The Beyond EPICA Oldest Ice Core (BE-OIC) dates back at least 1.2 million years, spanning the Mid Pleistocene Transition – an enigmatic shift in the pacing and intensity of Earth's climate cycles. This project will use a continuous analysis method to quantify levels of greenhouse gases in the pristine ancient air trapped in the ice, contributing to the precise dating of the core, quantifying the contribution of these important greenhouse gases to major climatic change, and revealing how their variability altered as the Earth transitioned to its current state.
Team
The project team consists of several European scientists specialising in greenhouse gas analysis nested within the multi-national Beyond EPICA consortium. Co-investigators are Prof Thomas Blunier at the University of Copenhagen, Dr Emilie Capron and Dr Xavier Fain at the Institute of Geosciences and the Environment (IGE), Grenoble, France, and Dr Thomas Bauska at the British Antarctic Survey, Cambridge. The successful candidate will be based in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge and will work closely with Dr Rachael Rhodes and all co-investigators in the research team, as well as Postdoctoral Research Associates at British Antarctic Survey and IGE, and University of Cambridge PhD students.
Responsibilities & Expectations
* System development and testing in the Ice Core Gas Lab at the British Antarctic Survey.
* Extended stay in Grenoble, France, to participate in a Continuous Flow Analysis (CFA) measurement campaign on the deepest section of the newly drilled BE-OIC.
* Attend and present results at international conferences, with support for travel and registration.
* Engage in outreach activities and contribute to the growth of the ice core science community.
* Mentored and supported in developing career and research interests by the Principal Investigator and University of Cambridge Postdoc Academy.
Requirements
* PhD in earth sciences or a closely related discipline, or be about to obtain one.
* Previous experience in geochemical analysis.
* Experience in paleoclimate sciences and laboratory analysis of polar ice core gases is highly desirable.
* Strong publication record, commensurate with career stage.
* Good communication skills and high motivation.
Details
Fixed-term: 36 months in the first instance, based on a latest start date of 1 July 2026.
Latest start date: 1 July 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.
Click the ‘Apply’ button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.
Enquiries concerning this research post can be sent to the Principal Investigator Rachael Rhodes (rhr34@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 LB49148 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.
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