Portsmouth RML
***NEW FULLY FUNDED*** postdoc project: "Forecasting Eruptions at Volcanoes after Extended Repose" (FEVER)
Applications are invited for a 30 month (2.5 year) postdoctoral fellow with experience in volcanology and geophysics. Full details will be announced shortly, for informal enquiries please email Phil Benson at the Portsmouth RML. The post is anticipated to start 1st April 2023 or shortly thereafter. More details:
The project is hosted at the RML at the University of Portsmouth, a dynamic and ambitious institution with a track record of success. Applications are invited for a Senior Research Associate to work as part of a new NERC-funded research project “Forecasting Eruptions at Volcanoes after Extended Repose” (FEVER).
The FEVER project will test the hypothesis that rock deformation and fracture can be used to measure the pre-eruptive stability of a volcano and, from this, allow deterministic forecasts of eruption far enough ahead of time to be of practical value. We are pleased to support the project with two Senior Research Associates each working on a related research theme (a laboratory-based testing theme based at Portsmouth, and a forecasting/model theme based at UCL).
The Senior Research Associate based at the University of Portsmouth will design, test, and manage the laboratory-rock-physics-testing aspect of this research project and related activities under the direction of CoI Benson at the Rock Mechanics Laboratory. They will also be involved in liaising and networking with relevant internal and external professionals, including the parallel postdoctoral researcher based at UCL, and co-developing experiments, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting research data. Briefly, experiments will simulate rock fracture in compression and tension at temperatures to 400C using a modified triaxial cell fitted with Acoustic Emission monitoring (as a proxy for field scale seismicity) to test new models for eruption forecasting. The applicant will work closely with both Principal and Co-Investigator to write papers for research journals and material for publications and contributing to the growing research culture in volcanotectonics and geological hazards. We will also work in partnership with researchers at Vesuvius Observatory and the Seismic Research Centre at the University of the West Indies to test the final models.
For the Portsmouth post we seek an individual with a passion for physical volcanology and who ideally has experience in laboratory (experimental) rock deformation and/or rock physics. The successful candidate should be familiar with rock mechanics testing methods and ideally Acoustic Emission recording and data processing. However, all training will be provided.
A drive to succeed, strong communication and organizational skills and experience working as part of a team would be valuable within this position. The post provides an excellent opportunity for personal and career development.
As an equal opportunities’ employer, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons and all appointments will be made on merit. As we are committed to the principles of the Race Equality Charter Mark, we would particularly welcome applications from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community who are currently under-represented at this level in this area.
Detailed information about University of Portsmouth: https://www.port.ac.uk/about-us/working-at-portsmouth
Employment type: Fixed-term (for up to 30 months)
Employment basis: Full Time
Salary Range: £32,348 to £36,386
Interview Date: 06 June 2023 (post start date 1st July)
More detailed information about the vacancy, and to apply: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CXU192/senior-research-associate
For informal enquries, please contact RML director Philip Benson (philip.benson@port.ac.uk).