Postdoctoral Research Associate

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world's top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences.

Durham Earth Sciences is one of the very best UK Earth Science departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and both the satisfaction and employability of its students. It is regularly ranked in the top 5 of UK departments and is within the global top 3

We invite applications for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) to join the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University, working with Dr Madeleine Humphreys and Dr Richard Brooker (Bristol) on a project funded by the European Research Council, "Storage and Eruption of Mushy Magma Systems (STEMMS)". The position is fixed term for 48 months. Wider collaborators associated with this project include Prof Kari Cooper (UC Davis) and Dr Fabian Wadsworth (Durham).

The aim of the broader project is to explore the links between crystal mush textures, magmatic volatiles and the mobility of stored magmas within the crust. This position will use a combination of petrographic observation and experimental petrology to define links between crystal shape (primarily plagioclase) and undercooling in low to intermediate silica content melts. The results will be used to interpret mush storage and crystallisation conditions and the timescales of crystal accumulation and remobilisation.

The PDRA will be expected to perform and analyse a series of high-temperature piston cylinder experiments to generate controlled crystallisation over a range of pressure, temperature and melt composition, to simulate crustal storage conditions. The PDRA will then combine the experimental results with models of crystallisation to interpret equivalent textural observations on natural materials. The aim will be to understand the conditions of crystal mush formation including the architecture, crystallisation timescales and remobilisation conditions in mushy magmatic systems. The project will require careful textural characterisation as well as geochemical analysis, and integration of results with existing geochronological data. There may also be an opportunity to acquire new measurements of Ra-Th ages in plagioclase, in association with Prof Kari Cooper.

This post is fixed term for 48 months. The research project funding is from ERC and is available for the fixed-term period only.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague.

Successful applicants will, be in post as soon as possible, and by Spring 2022. All applicants are asked to submit: a CV and covering letter

The assessment for the post will include an interview and a task related to the project.. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview and assessment in November-December 2021.