Research Fellow - Mesozoic plant chemistry and experimental taphonomy (Fixed Term) (SCI483226)

Research Fellow – Mesozoic plant chemistry and experimental taphonomy 

School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus

Full-time, fixed term for 31 months

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow to join the University of Nottingham at the Sutton Bonington Campus working as part of a team to deliver a project awarded by Leverhulme Trust to understand plant performance and climate feedback mechanisms in the Middle Jurassic greenhouse world. The project will use an experimental framework, to link plant morphology and chemistry to measurements of ecophysiological performance. These combined datasets will be used to understand how plants performed and were adapted to the Middle Jurassic, a greenhouse episode in Earth history where global mean temperatures were approximately 5-10°C warmer than the 1970-2010 average.

The role will involve undertaking plant taphonomy experiments and generating chemical data from experimental and fossils plants to compare with morphological and anatomical traits and measures of ecophysiological performance. These relationships will then be used to explore how plants from the Middle Jurassic were adapted and lived in their greenhouse world.

Candidates should have a PhD (or be close to submission) in palaeobotany, palaeobiology, or a related discipline, with experience in some of the following areas: Mesozoic plants, experimental taphonomy carbon isotope analysis and or FTIR analysis. Strong data analysis skills, initiative, communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively are essential.

Hours: Full-time (36.25 hours per week)
Location: Sutton Bonington Campus, University of Nottingham

This is a fixed term full time role beginning June 2026 and ends December 2028. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Professor Barry Lomax, email barry.lomax@nottingham.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 21 Apr 2026
Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)